Research Report: Sexual Violence Against Indonesian Female Journalists

"Sexual violence in the work environment is a global problem that occurs in various industries and the number continues to grow, including in the journalistic work environment."

This report, published by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AIJ) Indonesia, shares the findings of research that explored the various types of sexual violence experienced by female journalists while carrying out their profession - both online and offline and in the office and outside the office. Based on input from female journalists and press companies, it also looks at the current status of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling sexual violence against female journalists within media houses in Indonesia.

The research was conducted by PR2Media and AJI Indonesia and consisted of a survey of 852 female journalists from 34 provinces in Indonesia, as well as interviews with female journalists and press companies.

The types of sexual violence that were explored with respondents included the following:

Sexual harassment (online and offline):

• Sexually abusive or derogatory comments online
• Sexually abusive or derogatory comments offline
• Body shaming (ridicule/negative comments about body shape) online
• Body shaming (ridicule/negative comments about body shape) offline
• Sexually explicit text or audio-visual messages received online
• Sexually explicit text messages and audio-visual shown offline
• Catcalling (sexual harassment through verbal expression in public places) offline

Sexual assault (all offline):

• Unwanted sexual physical touch
• Forced to touch or serve the perpetrator's sexual desires
• Forced to have sexual intercourse

The research showed that 82.6% (704) of respondents had experienced sexual violence throughout their journalistic careers. Of the 10 types of violence asked about, the types most experienced by female journalists were: 1) body shaming offline (58.9% of the total respondents); 2) catcalling offline (51.4%); 3) body shaming online (48.6%); 4) receiving sexual and explicit text messages and audio-visuals online (37.2%); 5) unwanted sexual physical touch offline (36.3%); 6) sexually offensive or derogatory comments offline (36%); 7) sexually abusive or derogatory comments received online (35.1%); 8) sexually explicit text messages and audio-visual shown offline (27.2%); 9) forced to touch or serve the perpetrator's sexual desires offline (4.8%); and 10) forced to have sexual intercourse offline (2.6%).

When differentiating between online and offline: most journalists experience violence both online and offline (37% of the total respondents); 26.8% had only experienced online sexual violence; and 18.2% had only experienced it offline. Only 17.4% (148) of the respondents had never experienced any form of sexual violence in their journalistic careers.

The research also revealed that of the 852 respondents, 57.2% of respondents stated that their office did not yet have an SOP to deal with sexual violence against female journalists, while 42.8% indicated that their offices already had SOPs. These SOPs can be in the form of special SOPs for handling sexual violence or general SOPs, such as an SOP for the protection of journalists that covers aspects of handling sexual violence.

Interviews with female journalists and press companies to find out their opinions on SOPs to address sexual violence revealed that all 15 informants felt that SOPs were urgently needed. In addition, press companies that did not have an SOP stated they needed guidance in drafting one to ensure that the preparation and implementation of the SOP could be precise and efficient.

In conclusion, the report highlights the urgent need for press companies to develop SOPs to address sexual violence against female journalists. It recommends that the Press Council as the regulator in Indonesia should be involved in preparing SOPs - in particular, by facilitating the preparation of these SOPs and encouraging press companies to formulate SOPs, especially press companies with limited resources. As part of this process, this research could prove useful, as it provides comprehensive data and guidelines for the production of SOPs.

Click here for the Indonesian version of this 50-page report in PDF format.