The Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS) at Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta (UAJY), in collaboration with Satgas PPKS Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana, organized a seminar titled “Women Support Women in Reducing and Preventing Sexual Violence on Campus.” The event took place at the Auditorium of Teresa Building Campus IV UAJY on Thursday, April 4, 2024, as part of the activities commemorating International Women’s Day.
Vice Rector III of UAJY, Ir. Yosef Daryanto, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM, CSA, attended the event along with members of Satgas PPKS and students from UAJY and UKDW. In his address, Yosef emphasized that preventing sexual violence requires collective awareness, not just the efforts of university task forces.
“The prevention of sexual violence isn’t solely the task of our task forces; it requires awareness from all of us. Our collective awareness is crucial,” said Yosef.
The Women Support Women movement fosters solidarity among women to combat various forms of inequality. Dr. Dina Listiorini, M.Si., Chair of Satgas PPKS UAJY, highlighted the importance of this movement as many women still do not openly support each other, including victims of sexual violence.
“Often, there’s a lack of open support among women. Few openly declare their readiness to support others,” explained Dina.
Budi Wahyuni, MM. MA., a seminar speaker and lecturer at UGM, activist, and former vice chair of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), discussed the stigmas surrounding the Women Support Women movement, citing them as barriers to those willing to help.
He encouraged participants to empathize with victims of sexual violence, emphasizing the importance of not blaming them.
“What’s crucial in assisting victims, which I believe is prohibited by law, is avoiding blame. That’s essential—no blaming,” stressed Budi.
The event concluded with the announcement of winners from the short video competition themed “Women Support Women,” held since early March 2024. [humasukdw/Eng.drr]