Indonesia: False report may discredit sexual violence victims

Putri Candrawathi (right), the wife of the National Police's former chief of internal affairs, Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo (left), was named a suspect in the murder of Brig. Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat on Aug. 12. The police initially began the murder investigation under Putri's claim that she had been harassed by Yosua, but women's rights activists insist Ferdy might have taken advantage of his wife to save himself. - Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA, Aug 27 (Jakarta Post/ANN): A allegedly false report filed by Putri Candrawathi purportedly to save her embattled former police general husband has undeniably shaken Indonesia’s women’s rights movement, following her surprising role reversal from an alleged victim of sexual violence to a suspected accessory to premeditated murder.

Rights activists are now concerned that the sexual assault scenario, which was found to be a cover-up for the murder of Brig. Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat by his commanding officer, Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo, could further undermine public trust in victims of sexual harassment and deter real survivors from seeking help.