Are Judges Listening? Rethinking Sentencing in Child Sexual Violence through Victim Impact Statements in Indonesia
Abstract
The protection of victims' rights, especially child victims of sexual violence, remains a major challenge in Indonesia's criminal justice system. One critical yet underutilized instrument is the Victim Impact Statement (VIS), which allows victims to convey the psychological, emotional, social, and economic impact of the crime they experienced. However, the implementation of VIS in Indonesia is still limited due to the absence of explicit regulation in the current Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). This paper aims to examine the role of VIS in strengthening victim protection and to analyze the inhibiting factors affecting its implementation in the Karanganyar District Court. Using a socio-legal approach, this study combines normative legal research with empirical data gathered through interviews with judicial actors. The findings reveal that the main obstacles lie in three areas: the lack of legal substance (absence of specific VIS regulation), weak legal structure (limited procedural guidelines and institutional support), and unsupportive legal culture (stigmatization of victims and lack of victim-centered perspectives among legal practitioners). The study proposes a structured model of VIS based on Supreme Court Regulation No. 1 of 2022 and international practices, aiming to fill the normative gap and support future reform of Indonesia’s criminal procedure law. Strengthening VIS as a legal and procedural tool is essential for ensuring justice that is not only punitive but also restorative and responsive to the needs of victims.
References
Abduh Jerusalem, Muhammad. “Prospek Pengaturan Victim Impact Statement Dalam Pengambilan Keputusan Pembebasan Bersyarat Narapidana Di Indonesia.” Thesis, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 2024.
Abrams, Jamie R., and Amanda Potts. “The Language of Harm: What the Nassar Victim Impact Statements Reveal About Abuse and Accountability.” University of Pittsburgh Law Review 82, no. 1 (February 26, 2021). https://doi.org/10.5195/lawreview.2020.775.
Adiningsih, Aprilia Putri, and Ridwan Arifin. “Victims of Rape and The Legal Protection: Problems and Challenges in The Victimological Studies.” Semarang State University Undergraduate Law and Society Review 3, no. 1 (January 17, 2023): 47–70. https://doi.org/10.15294/lsr.v3i1.56688.
A’maludin, Risqi. “Analysis of the Judge’s Decision on Sexual Crimes Against Children (Study of the Decision of the Purwokerto District Court Number: 16/Pid.Sus-Child/2022/PN Pwt).” Proceedings Series on Social Sciences & Humanities 14, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v14i.1054.
Angkasa, Angkasa, Rani Hendriana, Filep Wamafma, Ogiandhafiz Juanda, and Bhanu Prakash Nunna. “Development of a Restitution Model in Optimizing Legal Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking in Indonesia.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 8, no. 1 (2023): 93–128. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v8i1.67866.
Awaludin Rahmansyah, Riza, Nurani Nabillah, and Anisa Siti Nurjanah. “Tindakan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Pelecehan Seksual Yang Dilakukan Herry Wirawan.” Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains 3, no. 6 (June 20, 2022): 956–64. https://doi.org/10.36418/jiss.v3i6.621.
Badrudduja, Ataka, and Yeni Widowaty. “Analisis Pemenuhan Hak Atas Restitusi Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual.” Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (IJCLC) 4, no. 2 (September 20, 2023): 57–68. https://doi.org/10.18196/ijclc.v4i2.19115.
Cassell, Paul, and Edna Erez. “How Victim Impact Statements Promote Justice: Evidence from the Content of Statements Delivered in Larry Nassar’s Sentencing.” SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah 20, no. 2 (2024): 33.
Criminal Court, International. Representing Victims before the International Criminal Court: A Manual for Legal Representatives. 5, 2020.
Demeke, Saba. “A Human Rights-Based Approach for Effective Criminal Justice Response to Human Trafficking.” Journal of International Humanitarian Action 9, no. 1 (January 27, 2024): 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-023-00143-4.
Faisal, Faisal, Derita Prapti Rahayu, Anri Darmawan, and Andri Yanto. “Progressive Consderation of Judges in Deciding Sentencing Under Indonesia New Criminal Code.” Jambe Law Journal 6, no. 1 (December 4, 2023): 85–102. https://doi.org/10.22437/jlj.6.1.85-102.
Friedman, L.M. The Legal System: A Social Science Perspective. Publications of Russell Sage Foundation. Russell Sage Foundation, 1975. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=DKJ654VkMb8C.
Government of South Australia. “A Victim Impact Statement Can Help the Judge or Magistrate Understand How the Crime Has Affected You.” Victim Impact Statement (blog), 2020. https://www.voc.sa.gov.au/going-to-court/victim-impact-statements.
Kunst, Maarten, Giulia de Groot, Jelmar Meester, and Janne van Doorn. “The Impact of Victim Impact Statements on Legal Decisions in Criminal Proceedings: A Systematic Review of the Literature across Jurisdictions and Decision Types.” Aggression and Violent Behavior 56 (January 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2020.101512.
Kurniawan, Itok Dwi, and Ismawati Septiningsih. “Legal Protection for Children as Victims of Sexual Violence.” Recidivice 12, no. 2 (2023): 366. https://doi.org/10.20956/recidive.7i2.xxxx.
Lilua, Angelin N. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Kejahatan Seksual Menurut Hukum Pidana Indonesia.” Lex Privatum IV, no. 4 (2016): 162–70.
Mega Wijaya, Mustika, Yenny Febrianty, Mustaqim Mustaqim, Angga Perdana, Sapto Handoyo Dp, and Tuti Susilawati Kartadimadja. “Protection of the Rights of Traditional Communities in the Ownership of Traditional Land Rights for Public Interests (Study of the Drafting of Traditional Legal Community Legislation).” International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding 11, no. 2 (February 6, 2024): 184. https://doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v11i2.5579.
Naeem, Muhammad, Wilson Ozuem, Kerry Howell, and Silvia Ranfagni. “A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods 22 (October 2023): 16094069231205789. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789.
Noor, Afif. “Socio-Legal Research: Integration of Normative and Empirical Juridical Research in Legal Research.” Jurnal Ilmiah Dunia Hukum 7, no. 2 (April 27, 2023): 94. https://doi.org/10.56444/jidh.v7i2.3154.
Rajandran, Malaika. “SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW.” Refugee Survey Quarterly 23, no. 4 (2004): 58–73.
Razak, Askari. “Mewujudkan Pemilu Adil dan Bermartabat: Suatu Tinjauan Sistem Hukum Lawrence M. Friedman.” Fundamental: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum 12, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 471–88. https://doi.org/10.34304/jf.v12i2.185.
Saef, Muhammad, El Islam, and Imasnovita Juaningsih. “Victim Impact Statement As The Restoration Of The Rights Of Victims In Law Number 12 Of 2022 On Sexual Violence Article,” n.d. https://doi.org/10.24905/plj.v1i2.43.
Sheley, Erin. “Victim Impact Statements and Corporate Sex Crimes.” OKLAHOMA LAW REVIEW 73, no. 1 (2020): 83. https://digitalcommons.law.ou.edu/olr/vol73/iss1/10.
Shimoyachi, Nao. “Between Accountability and Reconciliation: The Making of ‘the Victim-Centered Approach’ at the International Criminal Court.” Global Studies Quarterly 4, no. 2 (April 1, 2024): ksae014. https://doi.org/10.1093/isagsq/ksae014.
Sinaga, Valerie Selvie, and Michael Adrian Young. “WOMEN’S RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF VIRGINITY TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL ARMED FORCES AND THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL POLICE FORCE.” Awang Long Law Review 5, no. 2 (May 31, 2023): 410–18. https://doi.org/10.56301/awl.v5i2.693.
Sitompul, Anastasia Hana. “Kajian Hukum Tentang Tindak Kekerasan Seksual Terhadap Anak di Indonesia.” Lex Crimen IV, no. 1 (2015): 46–56.
The Supreme Court of The Republic of Indonesia. “Executive Summary: Supreme Court Annual Report 2022 With Unwavering Integrity, Trust Shall Grow.” Jakarta: Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia, 2022.
Tibaka, Leli, and Rosdian Rosdian. “The Protection of Human Rights in Indonesian Constitutional Law after the Amendment of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.” FIAT JUSTISIA:Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 11, no. 3 (February 28, 2018): 266. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v11no3.1141.
Wahab Aznul Hidaya. “The Role of Witness and Victim Protection Agency for Imekko Tribe in Criminal Justice System in Sorong.” Law and Justice 8, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 176–91. https://doi.org/10.23917/laj.v8i2.2363.
Yunara, Edi, and Taufik Kemas. “The Role of Victimology in the Protection of Crime Victims in Indonesian Criminal Justice System.” Mahadi: Indonesia Journal of Law 3, no. 01 (February 28, 2024): 63–78. https://doi.org/10.32734/mah.v3i01.15379.
Abrams, Jamie R., and Amanda Potts. “The Language of Harm: What the Nassar Victim Impact Statements Reveal About Abuse and Accountability.” University of Pittsburgh Law Review 82, no. 1 (February 26, 2021). https://doi.org/10.5195/lawreview.2020.775.
Adiningsih, Aprilia Putri, and Ridwan Arifin. “Victims of Rape and The Legal Protection: Problems and Challenges in The Victimological Studies.” Semarang State University Undergraduate Law and Society Review 3, no. 1 (January 17, 2023): 47–70. https://doi.org/10.15294/lsr.v3i1.56688.
A’maludin, Risqi. “Analysis of the Judge’s Decision on Sexual Crimes Against Children (Study of the Decision of the Purwokerto District Court Number: 16/Pid.Sus-Child/2022/PN Pwt).” Proceedings Series on Social Sciences & Humanities 14, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.30595/pssh.v14i.1054.
Angkasa, Angkasa, Rani Hendriana, Filep Wamafma, Ogiandhafiz Juanda, and Bhanu Prakash Nunna. “Development of a Restitution Model in Optimizing Legal Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking in Indonesia.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 8, no. 1 (2023): 93–128. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v8i1.67866.
Awaludin Rahmansyah, Riza, Nurani Nabillah, and Anisa Siti Nurjanah. “Tindakan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Pelecehan Seksual Yang Dilakukan Herry Wirawan.” Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains 3, no. 6 (June 20, 2022): 956–64. https://doi.org/10.36418/jiss.v3i6.621.
Badrudduja, Ataka, and Yeni Widowaty. “Analisis Pemenuhan Hak Atas Restitusi Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual.” Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (IJCLC) 4, no. 2 (September 20, 2023): 57–68. https://doi.org/10.18196/ijclc.v4i2.19115.
Cassell, Paul, and Edna Erez. “How Victim Impact Statements Promote Justice: Evidence from the Content of Statements Delivered in Larry Nassar’s Sentencing.” SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law, University of Utah 20, no. 2 (2024): 33.
Criminal Court, International. Representing Victims before the International Criminal Court: A Manual for Legal Representatives. 5, 2020.
Demeke, Saba. “A Human Rights-Based Approach for Effective Criminal Justice Response to Human Trafficking.” Journal of International Humanitarian Action 9, no. 1 (January 27, 2024): 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-023-00143-4.
Faisal, Faisal, Derita Prapti Rahayu, Anri Darmawan, and Andri Yanto. “Progressive Consderation of Judges in Deciding Sentencing Under Indonesia New Criminal Code.” Jambe Law Journal 6, no. 1 (December 4, 2023): 85–102. https://doi.org/10.22437/jlj.6.1.85-102.
Friedman, L.M. The Legal System: A Social Science Perspective. Publications of Russell Sage Foundation. Russell Sage Foundation, 1975. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=DKJ654VkMb8C.
Government of South Australia. “A Victim Impact Statement Can Help the Judge or Magistrate Understand How the Crime Has Affected You.” Victim Impact Statement (blog), 2020. https://www.voc.sa.gov.au/going-to-court/victim-impact-statements.
Kunst, Maarten, Giulia de Groot, Jelmar Meester, and Janne van Doorn. “The Impact of Victim Impact Statements on Legal Decisions in Criminal Proceedings: A Systematic Review of the Literature across Jurisdictions and Decision Types.” Aggression and Violent Behavior 56 (January 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2020.101512.
Kurniawan, Itok Dwi, and Ismawati Septiningsih. “Legal Protection for Children as Victims of Sexual Violence.” Recidivice 12, no. 2 (2023): 366. https://doi.org/10.20956/recidive.7i2.xxxx.
Lilua, Angelin N. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Kejahatan Seksual Menurut Hukum Pidana Indonesia.” Lex Privatum IV, no. 4 (2016): 162–70.
Mega Wijaya, Mustika, Yenny Febrianty, Mustaqim Mustaqim, Angga Perdana, Sapto Handoyo Dp, and Tuti Susilawati Kartadimadja. “Protection of the Rights of Traditional Communities in the Ownership of Traditional Land Rights for Public Interests (Study of the Drafting of Traditional Legal Community Legislation).” International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding 11, no. 2 (February 6, 2024): 184. https://doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v11i2.5579.
Naeem, Muhammad, Wilson Ozuem, Kerry Howell, and Silvia Ranfagni. “A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods 22 (October 2023): 16094069231205789. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789.
Noor, Afif. “Socio-Legal Research: Integration of Normative and Empirical Juridical Research in Legal Research.” Jurnal Ilmiah Dunia Hukum 7, no. 2 (April 27, 2023): 94. https://doi.org/10.56444/jidh.v7i2.3154.
Rajandran, Malaika. “SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW.” Refugee Survey Quarterly 23, no. 4 (2004): 58–73.
Razak, Askari. “Mewujudkan Pemilu Adil dan Bermartabat: Suatu Tinjauan Sistem Hukum Lawrence M. Friedman.” Fundamental: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum 12, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 471–88. https://doi.org/10.34304/jf.v12i2.185.
Saef, Muhammad, El Islam, and Imasnovita Juaningsih. “Victim Impact Statement As The Restoration Of The Rights Of Victims In Law Number 12 Of 2022 On Sexual Violence Article,” n.d. https://doi.org/10.24905/plj.v1i2.43.
Sheley, Erin. “Victim Impact Statements and Corporate Sex Crimes.” OKLAHOMA LAW REVIEW 73, no. 1 (2020): 83. https://digitalcommons.law.ou.edu/olr/vol73/iss1/10.
Shimoyachi, Nao. “Between Accountability and Reconciliation: The Making of ‘the Victim-Centered Approach’ at the International Criminal Court.” Global Studies Quarterly 4, no. 2 (April 1, 2024): ksae014. https://doi.org/10.1093/isagsq/ksae014.
Sinaga, Valerie Selvie, and Michael Adrian Young. “WOMEN’S RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF VIRGINITY TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL ARMED FORCES AND THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL POLICE FORCE.” Awang Long Law Review 5, no. 2 (May 31, 2023): 410–18. https://doi.org/10.56301/awl.v5i2.693.
Sitompul, Anastasia Hana. “Kajian Hukum Tentang Tindak Kekerasan Seksual Terhadap Anak di Indonesia.” Lex Crimen IV, no. 1 (2015): 46–56.
The Supreme Court of The Republic of Indonesia. “Executive Summary: Supreme Court Annual Report 2022 With Unwavering Integrity, Trust Shall Grow.” Jakarta: Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia, 2022.
Tibaka, Leli, and Rosdian Rosdian. “The Protection of Human Rights in Indonesian Constitutional Law after the Amendment of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.” FIAT JUSTISIA:Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 11, no. 3 (February 28, 2018): 266. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v11no3.1141.
Wahab Aznul Hidaya. “The Role of Witness and Victim Protection Agency for Imekko Tribe in Criminal Justice System in Sorong.” Law and Justice 8, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 176–91. https://doi.org/10.23917/laj.v8i2.2363.
Yunara, Edi, and Taufik Kemas. “The Role of Victimology in the Protection of Crime Victims in Indonesian Criminal Justice System.” Mahadi: Indonesia Journal of Law 3, no. 01 (February 28, 2024): 63–78. https://doi.org/10.32734/mah.v3i01.15379.
Published
2025-05-31
How to Cite
RAMADIANTO, Anang Riyan; ISTIQOMAH, Milda; APRILIANDA, Nurini.
Are Judges Listening? Rethinking Sentencing in Child Sexual Violence through Victim Impact Statements in Indonesia.
Jurnal Dinamika Hukum, [S.l.], v. 25, n. 2, p. 130-145, may 2025.
ISSN 2407-6562.
Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/jdh/article/view/15724>. Date accessed: 31 aug. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jdh.2025.25.2.15724.
Issue
Section
Articles
1.jpg){kind=logo}
1.jpg)
