Reform of Human Trafficking Victim Protection Policy in Indonesia: A Human Rights and Restorative Justice Perspective

Fero Sanjaya; Herlita Eryke

doi:10.33751/palar.v12i1.39

Authors

Fero Sanjaya Universitas Bengkulu
Herlita Eryke Universitas Bengkulu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33751/palar.v12i1.39

Abstract

Purpose of this paper is to examine the legal framework of victim protection in human trafficking cases in Indonesia, which currently faces significant challenges regarding the fulfillment of victims' rights to restitution. Despite the existence of Law No. 21 of 2007, victims often encounter systemic barriers in obtaining recovery, leading to secondary victimization. Methods used in this study follow a normative legal research approach with statutory, conceptual, and case perspectives, specifically analyzing Supreme Court Decision No. 2355 K/Pid.Sus/2022. Research results indicate that the current restitution mechanism is merely decorative and highly dependent on the perpetrator's financial capacity, which is often non existent or hidden. The study finds a significant legal gap where the state lacks a mandatory safety net for victims when perpetrators fail to pay. Analysis reveals that the protection policy is still heavily "offender-oriented" rather than "victim-centered." The lack of synchronization between human trafficking laws and witness/victim protection regulations creates procedural fragmentation that hinders the restorative justice process. To address these issues, this paper argues for a legal reformulation that positions the state as the ultimate guarantor of victim recovery. Recommendationsinclude the urgent revision of the Human Trafficking Law to institutionalize a "Victim Recovery Fund" and the implementation of an Integrated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that legal, psychological, and financial recovery are handled simultaneously through a coordinated inter-agency system.

References

Arisanti, Trisnaulan, Budiyono, Azmi Syahputra, and Agus Surono. “The Concept of Restoring the Rights of Victims of Mass Fraud with Justice.” International Journal of Environmental Sciences (July 2, 2025): 840–853.

Audina, Izzah, and Ifahda Pratama Hapsari. “Two Systems, One Concept of Comparative Analysis of Dutch Noodwer and Indonesian Forced Defense.” JURNAL AKTA 11, no. 4 (November 28, 2024): 1092.

Dea, Rini Apriyani, and Agustina Wati. “Tanggung Jawab LPSK Dalam Pelaksanaan Restitusi Korban Kekerasan Seksual Oleh Pelaku Yang Tidak Mampu Atau Terpidana Mati.” Referendum 2, no. 3 (September 3, 2025): 61–69.

Endang, Celine, Jennifer Kurnia Putri, Albertus Hansen Setyabudi, and Sheyla Alif Alfiana. “Restitutio in Integrum in Criminal Regulation of Restitution for the Victims of Criminal Acts.” Journal of Law, Politic and Humanities 5, no. 1 (2024): 179–191. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://dinastires.org/JLPH/article/view/829.

Fauziyah, Okta Rifo , and Yana Indawati. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Korban Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Orang.” Referendum : Jurnal Hukum Perdata dan Pidana 2, no. 3 (August 19, 2025): 49–60.

Islahuddin, Muhammad , and Ahmad Nabiel Syahbana. “Kebijakan Formulasi Penegakan Hukum Terhadap Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Orang Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 21 Tahun 2007.” AHKAM 4, no. 3 (July 18, 2025): 838–851.

Khoirudin, Khoirudin, Hono Sejati, and Mohamad Tohari. “The Urgency of Imprisonment as a Substitute for Restitution in Upholding Justice for Rape Victims.” Ranah Research : Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 7, no. 1 (November 18, 2024): 36–44.

Kurniawan, Wan Rahmat, Alwan Hadiyanto, and Ciptono Ciptono. “Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Orang Dalam Perspektif Tindak Pidana Pencucian Uang Di Indonesia.” JURNAL USM LAW REVIEW 7, no. 2 (June 8, 2024): 688.

Machpudj, Wahyuddin Ardianto, Aidir Aimin Daud, and Andi Muhammad Sofyan. “Legal Protection of Seized Items in the State Seized Property Storage House in Criminal Cases.” Science of Law 2025, no. 3 (July 16, 2025): 137–143.

Pambudi , and Ahmad Redi. “Legal Efforts to Enhance the Effectiveness of Legal Protection for Victims of Human Trafficking Crimes.” Jurnal Hukum dan Sosial Politik 3, no. 3 (August 8, 2025): 116–123.

Patramijaya, Arief . “Criminal Legal Protection for Bona Fide Third Parties over Assets in Corruption and Money Laundering Cases.” Deleted Journal 8, no. 1 (January 31, 2024): 171–171.

Ramadhan, Shendy, and Bambang Widiarto. “Fulfillment of Restitution Rights for Victims of Human Trafficking Crimes.” FOCUS 6, no. 2 (August 15, 2025): 68–75.

sholeh, Muh ibnu , and Siti Fatinnah Binti Ab Rahman. “Bridging Legal Reform and Climate Action: Strengthening Rule of Law to Advance SDG 13 in the Global South.” Journal of Law, Policy and Global Development 1, no. 1 (June 29, 2025): 1–18. Accessed November 20, 2025. https://journal.as-salafiyah.id/index.php/jlpgd/article/view/332.

Siregar, Dahris , Yaniman Gulo, Yurmanius Laia, Ariston Halawa, Niamulago Laia, Yohanes Herman Buulolo, Hiraukan Zebua, Korintus Laia, Senius Zega, and Angoligo Laia. “Dasar Pertimbangan Hakim Menjatuhkan Pemidanaan Kepada Pelaku Yang Melakukan Penampungan Untuk Eksploitasi Orang Di Wilayah Negara Republik Indonesia.” Jurnal Smart Hukum (JSH) 1, no. 2 (January 30, 2023): 268–275.

Sisera, Perida Apriani, Alvi Syahrin, Marlina Marlina, and Edy Ikhsan. “Penyelesaian Ganti Rugi Terhadap Perkara Anak Yang Berhadapan Dengan Hukum Secara Diversi.” Locus Journal of Academic Literature Review 3, no. 2 (February 2, 2024): 198–218.

Syarifudin, Udin. “Hak Asasi Manusia Dalam Hukum Tata Negara: Antara Teori Dan Praktik.” Indragiri Law Review 2, no. 2 (August 31, 2024): 53–58.

Wibisana, Anak Agung Ngurah Adhi , Agung Gede, I Nyoman Putu Budiartha, and Anak Agung Sagung Laksmi Dewi. “LEGAL REFORM on the CONCEPT of RESTORATIVE JUSTICE in the CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.” Jurnal Pembaharuan Hukum 11, no. 2 (May 28, 2024): 264–264.

Wiguna, I Made Agus Astra , and I Dewa Gede Dana Sugama. “Victim Protection in Indonesian Criminal Justice: Assessing the Implementation of Restorative Justice as a New Paradigm.” West Science Interdisciplinary Studies 3, no. 07 (July 30, 2025): 1098–1112.

Wirayati, Ayu Nurasyifa, Nola Retno, and Ahmad Ma’mun Fikri. “Strengthening Indonesia’s National Police Directorate for Enhanced Protection of Women and Children.” Research Horizon 5, no. 4 (August 6, 2025): 1489–1500.

Zakran, Eka Putra , Budi Sastra Panjaitan, and Arifuddin Muda Harahap. “Pembaruan Hukum Pidana Dalam Perspektif Perlindungan Korban.” JURNAL RISET RUMPUN ILMU SOSIAL POLITIK DAN HUMANIORA 4, no. 3 (July 2, 2025): 713–725.

Ziyatova, Zhadra Ziyatovna , and Elena Nikolaevnaovna Kaliakperova. “LEGISLATION of FOREIGN COUNTRIES on COMPENSATION of DAMAGE in CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (LEGAL ANALYSIS).” Bulletin of Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan 1, no. 68 (March 30, 2022): 84–93.