RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, has underscored that responses to sexual violence must prioritize the perspective and rights of victims.

“We respect local customs as part of community identity. At the same time, protecting women and children is a non-negotiable priority,” Minister Arifah said in Jakarta on Sunday, February 15, 2026, during a working visit to Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, as quoted by Antara.

Her remarks followed reports of incest survivors receiving services at the Safe House of the Ngada Women and Child Protection Unit (UPTD PPA), who could not be returned to their communities due to social and cultural considerations.

Minister Arifah called on local administrations, traditional leaders, and community figures to seek fair solutions that uphold cultural values without compromising victims’ dignity and rights. She emphasized that perpetrators must face justice under the law to prevent further harm.

Sexual violence, particularly within families, she noted, is a crime that strips women and children of their rights.

“Victims are not at fault. They must be protected, restored, and supported to live safely and with dignity, especially when children are born as a result of such crimes,” Minister Arifah said.

She highlighted that victim recovery and fulfillment of rights are top priorities, including access to education, skills training, parenting support, and social reintegration.

“We are coordinating with the Ngada UPTD PPA to provide comprehensive services, including safe housing, legal assistance, healthcare, psychosocial support, and child rights protection. All victims have also been given access to education and vocational training as part of recovery and empowerment,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Head of the Ngada UPTD PPA, Onni, noted that clinical psychology services in the region remain limited. He urged the government to provide more professional resources to strengthen victim support.

“The safe house currently shelters six victims, both women and children. They remain here for extended periods due to social and cultural factors in their communities, where incest survivors are often forced to leave their homes and families. We hope the government can provide adequate facilities and infrastructure so victim handling can be faster, more effective, and comprehensive,” Onni said. ***