Mapping the motives: Patterns and contributing factors of sexual violence against women in Indonesia

Susanti Susanti; Yuni  Retnowati; Gusriani Gusriani; Alfianur Alfianur

doi:10.47679/makein.2025273

Published: 15 April 2025

Mapping the motives: Patterns and contributing factors of sexual violence against women in Indonesia

Susanti, SST, Bdn., M.Kes
Yuni Retnowati, S.ST, Bdn., M.Keb
Gusriani, S.ST., M.Keb
Alfianur, Ns., M.Kep

Vol. 6 No. 1: 2025 | Pages: 43-50

DOI: 10.47679/makein.2025273 Reader: 437 times PDF Download: 277 times

Abstract

Sexual violence remains a pervasive and underreported human rights violation, affecting one in three women globally and constituting a serious public health issue. Grounded in gender-based violence theory, this study critically analyzed 40 cases of sexual violence against women reported to the Tarakan City Police from 2020–2021 to examine how cases are documented, categorized, and understood locally. Using a descriptive design and secondary police data, the research found that most reported victims were young women aged 18–24, with boyfriends and husbands comprising the majority of perpetrators. Molestation (35%) and domestic violence (22.5%) were the most frequently reported forms, while “biological” motives predominated in police records (77.5%). Notably, no cases of rape were documented, suggesting possible underreporting or misclassification. These findings reflect not the true prevalence of sexual violence, but rather the patterns of reporting and official categorization, shaped by social stigma, legal norms, and systemic barriers. The study calls for enhanced education for law enforcement, survivor-centered reporting protocols, and multisectoral interventions to improve prevention and support. Limitations include the use of only reported cases, the small sample size, and inherent bias in administrative data, underscoring the need for further qualitative and mixed-method research.

Abstrak: Kekerasan seksual tetap menjadi pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang meluas dan kurang dilaporkan, memengaruhi satu dari tiga perempuan secara global serta menjadi masalah serius dalam kesehatan masyarakat. Berlandaskan teori kekerasan berbasis gender, studi ini menganalisis secara kritis 40 kasus kekerasan seksual terhadap perempuan yang dilaporkan ke Kepolisian Kota Tarakan pada tahun 2020–2021 untuk menelaah bagaimana kasus-kasus tersebut didokumentasikan, dikategorikan, dan dipahami secara lokal. Dengan menggunakan desain deskriptif dan data sekunder dari kepolisian, penelitian ini menemukan bahwa sebagian besar korban yang dilaporkan adalah perempuan muda berusia 18–24 tahun, dengan pacar dan suami sebagai pelaku terbanyak. Pencabulan (35%) dan kekerasan dalam rumah tangga (22,5%) merupakan bentuk kekerasan yang paling sering dilaporkan, sementara motif “biologis” mendominasi dalam catatan kepolisian (77,5%). Menariknya, tidak ada kasus pemerkosaan yang tercatat, yang dapat mengindikasikan adanya underreporting atau salah klasifikasi. Temuan ini tidak mencerminkan prevalensi kekerasan seksual yang sebenarnya, melainkan pola pelaporan dan kategorisasi resmi yang dipengaruhi oleh stigma sosial, norma hukum, dan hambatan sistemik. Studi ini merekomendasikan peningkatan edukasi bagi aparat penegak hukum, protokol pelaporan yang berpusat pada korban, serta intervensi multisektor untuk memperkuat pencegahan dan dukungan. Keterbatasan penelitian ini mencakup hanya menggunakan kasus yang dilaporkan, ukuran sampel yang kecil, dan bias bawaan pada data administratif, sehingga menekankan perlunya penelitian lebih lanjut dengan metode kualitatif dan campuran.

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© The Author(s) 2025
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Keywords

Sexual Violence
Prevalence
Perpetrators
Gender-based violence
Victim
Motives
Indonesia

Author Information

Susanti, SST, Bdn., M.Kes

Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Indonesia, Indonesia.

Yuni Retnowati, S.ST, Bdn., M.Keb

Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Indonesia, Indonesia.

Gusriani, S.ST., M.Keb

Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Indonesia, Indonesia.

Alfianur, Ns., M.Kep

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Indonesia, Indonesia.

Article History

Submitted: 21 December 2024
Accepted: 3 August 2025
Published: 15 April 2025

How to Cite This

Susanti, S., Retnowati, Y. ., Gusriani, G., & Alfianur, A. (2025). Mapping the motives: Patterns and contributing factors of sexual violence against women in Indonesia. Majalah Kesehatan Indonesia, 6(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.47679/makein.2025273