BWCC

Let's make use of the available legal aid service stations

Legal Aid Post in Penelokan Traditional Market, Kedisan Village, Kintamani-Bangli (IDN Times/istimewa)

Denpasar, IDN Times - Bali Women Crisis Centre Legal Aid Institute (LBH BWCC) has officially opened two Legal Aid Service Stations since April 2024. These stations aim to expand legal services and access to justice for the community, especially women and children who have experienced violence. The two stations are located at Taksu Penelokan Traditional Market, Kedisan Village, Kintamani Sub-district, Bangli District and Gunung Agung Tradirional Market, Pemecutan Kaja Village, North Denpasar Sub-district, Denpasar City.

LBH BWCC Director, Ni Nengah Budawati, stated that these stations aim to expand access to legal services and assistance for victims of violence and to be more easily accessible to the public. Until now, some people have visited to learn about the legal aid institution itself and the service mechanisms when they want to lodge a complaint.

“They come (people come to the legal aid service station) to find out first, what LBH BWCC is. How to report, and what service mechanisms can be provided to them. That's it,” she said, last Friday (24/5/2024).

1. People visit the LBH BWCC Legal Aid Service Post, but no one has reported

Legal Aid Post in Penelokan Traditional Market, Kedisan Village, Kintamani-Bangli (IDN Times/istimewa)

SIt has been more than a month, and the findings in the field are quite surprising. Many people are still reluctant to report. The service station team then went down to the field to get closer to the community. For example, by visiting their stalls, shops, and several locations where people gather in market areas.

“From the reactions of the people there, it can be identified that people still don't dare to report,” a member of the service team said.

2. Traders in the market area are confused about how to resolve suddenly inflated debt problems

Legal Aid Service Post at Gunung Agung Market Denpasar (IDN Times/Ayu Afria)

A trader who requested anonymity shared her visit to the legal aid post in Denpasar. She had a debt problem of Rp20 million. However, over time, her total debt suddenly reached Rp100 million. She continued to pay off the debt in order to settle it promptly. Until she reached a breaking point and began questioning her debt that had not been paid off.

“I couldn't afford it, so I ran away. Because I ran away, not hiding. No. It's because I couldn't afford it. How can I ask for a solution? Whether I'm wrong, should it be paid or not,” said the trader.

3. The legal aid service stations are dedicated to expanding access to justice

Illustration of violence (IDN Times/Muhammad Tarmizi Murdianto

It should be noted that the establishment of these two stations is under the Justice Access Expansion and Legal Assistance Program for Communities and Victims of Violence implemented by LBH BWCC. This program is supported by The Fund for Global Human Rights from the United Kingdom under the Legal Empowerment Fund (LEF) funding program.

“The program aims to increase access to legal services for the community and victims of violence in Bali by increasing the number of paralegals and establishing grassroots legal aid service stations,” explained Buda.

LBH BWCC Legal Aid Service Stations focus on receiving reports of violence cases, legal consultations and education, advocacy for victims of violence, especially women and children, and services for the general public facing legal issues.