Reconceptualizing Victim Status on Victim Impact Statement in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61860/jigp.v4i3.342Abstract
The Indonesian criminal justice system remains predominantly offender-centric, systematically marginalizing victims by reducing them to mere witnesses and neglecting their profound physical, emotional, and social harm. This structural imbalance contradicts constitutional guarantees of fair legal certainty and perpetuates secondary victimization. Grounded in normative legal research employing conceptual and statutory approaches, this study analyzes the 1945 Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHP), and recent reforms like Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence. It synthesizes victimological theory and comparative jurisprudence to argue for the adoption of the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) as a transformative mechanism. The findings reveal that VIS can bridge the gap between victims' subjective experiences and legal recognition, functioning as both a therapeutic tool for victim healing and an informational aid for proportionate sentencing within a restorative justice framework. However, successful implementation requires navigating challenges of judicial bias, equitable access, and defendant rights protection. The study concludes that reconceptualizing victim status from passive object to active participant is imperative. It recommends formal integration of VIS into the KUHP, supported by comprehensive judicial guidelines, institutional capacity building for the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), and public awareness campaigns to foster a victim-centered paradigm that aligns with restorative justice principles and enhances systemic legitimacy.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhamad Rizki, Widya Wahyu Utami, Muhammad Soffa Marwa, Muhammad Abdurohman Sholih, Faisal Santiago
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