Theresia Sri Endras Iswarini, 1972-. Child sexual abuse, capitalism, patriarchy and resistance : a study of women's experiences in one village, west Java, province, Indonesia . Master's Degree(Health Social Science). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Child sexual abuse, capitalism, patriarchy and resistance : a study of women's experiences in one village, west Java, province, Indonesia
Abstract:
Sexual abuse of children, especially girls, is a form of both violence against
children and violence against women, which is widespread in many societies in the
world, including Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to understand the nature and
form of child sexual abuse in Indonesia, its effects on women and their resistance to
it, and why it happens. Based on feminist ethnography methodology, I employed
participant and non-participant observation, study-site mapping, key informant
interview, oral history, in-depth interview and personal narrative.
In Indonesia child sexual abuse takes on a different form than is presented in the
West. Of the 18 women I interviewed, mostly from poor families, eight had
experienced forced marriage and ten had experienced forced first intercourse, and
four of these had experienced both. Others had experience date / acquaintance rape
and child trafficking
Child sexual abuse experiences exist as a result of the interplay between
capitalism, gender ideology, culture and patriarchal oppression. The harmful
experiences of these women created physical, psychological, social and medical
consequences. But they tried to resist and were not silent at all. They resisted through
many kinds of action, from silence to symbolic acts and languages as well as
women’s agency. In their negotiation and capacity to resist they emerged as agents of
social transformation as well as agent for themselves.
It is recommended that reproductive and sexual health and rights should be
considered as the main component of the family planning program in order to
increase women’s well-being. Also, there is need of a community-based educational
program to strengthen women’s awareness related to the issues of gender and
reproductive and sexual health and rights. In addition, the Indonesian government
should strictly enforce the law protecting girls from sexual abuse.