Meet Sugiarsi, The Woman Who Helped 700 Victims of Violence

However, due to insufficient funding, the administrators of APPS often have to make personal sacrifices and dedicate their own time and resources to keep the organization running.

One of Sugiarsi's most memorable cases was when she accompanied a junior high school student who was stripped naked because she was accused of stealing in early January 2016.

At that time, Sugiarsi was at her daughter's house in Semarang, Central Java. Suddenly, she received a phone call from Mursito, the head of the Human Rights Enforcement Committee (KOMPAK HAM) from Sragen.

With a trembling voice, Mursito told the story of a child who stole used clothes and sandals and was paraded and stripped naked around the village.

"If it wasn't Mami who took care of it, it wouldn't have happened," Mursito quoted Sugiarsi as saying.

Sugiarsi had a rush of emotions and immediately headed home. Despite the 100-kilometer distance from Semarang to Sragen, she rode on the back of her son's black Megapro motorcycle.

For her, it was a matter of humanity that she couldn't ignore, even at the age of 75.

The next day, Sugiarsi went to D's house, which was 20 minutes away from hers. There were already many people gathered there, including neighbors, human rights activists, government officials, police, and journalists.

It had been two days since the incident, but no action had been taken yet. Everyone was eagerly waiting for Mami's arrival.

She saw D, the girl who had been paraded and stripped naked, sitting listlessly. Her tears did not stop flowing. Sugiarsi went over and sat next to the girl. She hugged and stroked D.

After D calmed down, Mami Sugiarsi expressed her intention to provide assistance, both for psychological recovery and legal aspects. She also gave a letter of authorization for D's family to sign.

After that, Sugiarsi, D and her family went to Sragen Police Station to report the incident two days earlier and to make a Minutes of Investigation (BAP).

"D is now living peacefully. She moved with her brother to Kalimantan," said Mami, remembering the girl she helped.

Threatened

As a person who stands for humanity, Mami faces many challenges. One that she often receives is threats, both veiled and overt threats.

Most of the threats come from parties who do not like Mami to interfere in their affairs, for example, the husband of a domestic violence victim who feels that domestic violence is a family affair.