MSD (24) was reportedly murdered by her husband, Nando (25), last Thursday (September 7, 2023). The Cikarang Barat, Bekasi couple, who had been married for three years, had a history of domestic violence.
According to *Kompas.com*, the wife had previously reported her husband's domestic violence (KDRT) to the Bekasi Metro Police in August 2023. Unfortunately, the report was dismissed, and the case was settled amicably.
"She had reported it, and even had a medical examination, but the perpetrator denied it, and (the police) decided to drop the case," said Deden, the victim's older brother, at the Cikarang Barat Police Station, Bekasi Regency, on Monday (September 11, 2023).
Despite this, the victim had secretly been gathering evidence of the domestic violence she had endured for three years. Deden stated that his sister had intended to divorce her husband.
Nando's rage culminated last Thursday. His actions were motivated by resentment and economic factors. His wife's body was discovered two days later at their rented house, after he turned himself in to the police.
(See also: Perpetrators of Violence More Often Come from the Victim's Own Partner)
Violence in personal relationships and against partners is rampant, based on complaints received by the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan).
"Personal violence is the most dominant type each year," wrote Komnas Perempuan in their 2023 Annual Report.
In 2022, there were 2,098 reported cases of personal violence. Of these, 713 cases involved violence by an ex-boyfriend.
Other significant categories of personal violence included violence against wives (622 cases), dating violence (422 cases), violence against daughters (140 cases), and other forms of domestic violence such as violence against daughters-in-law, cousins, siblings-in-law, or other relatives (111 cases). Finally, there were 90 cases of violence by an ex-husband.
"The most common form of violence in the personal sphere is psychological violence," wrote Komnas Perempuan.
Besides the personal sphere, Komnas Perempuan also recorded 1,276 cases of violence in the public sphere and 68 cases in the state sphere in 2022.
(See also: Provinces with the Highest Rates of Violence in Indonesia up to June 2023)