Na-young: A Survivor
By: Danny Hidayat
Tags: Rape Victims, Rape Cases, Sexual Assault, Rape, Survivor

Protesters holding signs calling for the rapist Cho Doo-soon’s castration trying to block his release from prison on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea. Credit…Yun Dong-Jin/Yonhap, via Associated Press

Ansan, South Korea. December 11th, 2008

This marks the exact date when that case happened. Na-young (fictitious name), an 8-year-old girl was kidnapped, tortured, and raped by the criminal Cho Doo-Soon (then 56 years old). This brutality caused Na-young left with permanent damage to her lower abdomen and was told she would be permanently disabled. Na-young also suffered from depression and mental stress after the assault. In trial, Cho who was originally sentenced to life in prison, his sentenced was reduced to 12 years in prison because Na-young testified that he smelled like alcohol, as he was not sound of mind while committing the crime.

If you are not familiar with this case, you can read Cho Doo-Soon case or watch Hope (2013) movie that made based on the true story of that case.

December 12th, 2020

Cho Doo-Soon, now 68, was released from prison. His released was sparking angry demonstrations and anonymous death threats that led to an increased police presence outside the predator’s home. He returned to Ansan to live with his wife less than 1 km away from the victim’s house. He will have to wear an ankle monitor and will be under constant surveillance on probation for 7 years. Ansan’s city government said in a statement that a team of 12 security guards — formerly special forces’ soldiers or martial arts specialists — have been put on shifts patrolling the area around Cho’s house 24 hours a day. Officials are also adding 20 more security cameras as well as new streetlights.

Now, what will happen?

I don’t have law background, and I am not a South Korea’s citizen. I don’t have the capacity of talking about the judgment or law-related things. But I wonder, what will happen next?

What will happen to Na-young? Now she’s 20 years old, only 4 years younger than me. It is reported that one year after the case, after receiving psychiatric treatment, she was said to have recovered 70%. She also started attending school again but avoids news completely to avoid any possible chance of seeing something related to sexual assault. But now, with the perpetrator is living close to her, it is reported that the victim’s family will move away from Ansan. Will she feel safe and be able to overcome any past trauma from that assault?

What will happen to Cho? Public anger has surged, around a million people since 2017 signed multiple petition opposing Cho’s release. He also has various violent case history (including rape) with for most of his cases he was drunk. With extra-monitoring from police with cameras, and streetlights, will it make him come to his sense?

What will happen to other unreported sexual assault victim in my country, Indonesia? Will they live in fear for the rest of their life? In Na-young case, I do believe that psychiatric treatment is one of the most contributing parts which helped her cope past horrible event. But rape is under-reported case. With fear of shame and victim-blaming, it will also become harder for the victim to muster up courage and report to the police. A study by Singapore-based research company ValueChampion has found that Indonesia is the second-most dangerous country for women in the Asia Pacific region.

What will happen to sexual violence eradication bill (RUU PKS)? What will happen to men and women in Indonesia? What will happen to false allegations of rape case? What will happen?

Well, I don’t know. I wish that I know, but I don’t.

But, here is what I know…

What will happen to me?

Honestly, something disgusts me, especially when the sexual assault mostly happened to women.

No, I’m not talking about #MeToo or any kind of short-term feminist movement. Just let those people speak up about their concerns. What really disgusts me is when the default will change. The new normal.

I think what if someday women don’t feel safe anymore near men? Will they appreciate men because they don’t rape of assault them? Will they reward us as good men because we respect consent and not making sexual jokes? Will they respect us because we don’t catcall them? No, it shouldn’t be, and hopefully won’t be, the default, the new normal.

I also wish that Na-young can heal and cope with the past trauma and be happy on her own. I wish she received much love from people so she won’t live in despair. I wish she can be success on her own without people adding “despite of that case”. And lastly, I wish someday she can talk about that case casually. I do believe there is still hope for anyone who experience the same thing. Always realize that it was not your fault, you’re brave and amazing, and deserve to be loved by somebody.

At least, I am that somebody.

Other news and references:

· https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/12/13/national/socialAffairs/Cho-Doosoon-Nayoung-rape/20201213181000542.html

· https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/asia/south-korea-rapist-cho-doo-soon.html

· https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/south-korea-child-rapist-cho-doo-soon-protesters-eggs-13756164

· https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/12/15/rapists-release-sparks-outrage

· http://komnasperempuan.go.id/file/pdf_file/2020/Catatan%20Tahunan%20Kekerasan%20Terhadap%20Perempuan%202020.pdf