Judicial Strategies in Addressing Domestic Violence: Gender-Responsive Legal Analysis from the Religious Court of Malang Regency, Indonesia

Meisy Fajarani; Musleh Harry; Muhammad Jihadil Akbar; Nur Jannani; Mikdar Rusdi

doi:10.21154/justicia.v23i2.11804

Authors

Meisy Fajarani Universitas Islam Internasional Darullughah Wadda`wah, Pasuruan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1232-6030
Musleh Harry Faculty of Sharia, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4712-7619
Muhammad Jihadil Akbar Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6066-4295
Nur Jannani Faculty of Sharia, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4444-5411
Mikdar Rusdi Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7716-4060

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21154/justicia.v23i2.11804

Keywords:

domestic violence, protection of women and children, religious courts

Abstract

This study aims to analyze judicial efforts to enhance protection for women and children in cases of domestic violence, particularly in the Malang region of East Java, where the number of cases has been increasing annually. The methodology employed is legal research using a case study approach, involving data collection through interviews with judges and analysis of court rulings. The results of the study indicate that judges at the Malang Regency Religious Court have developed various strategies to provide more effective protection, particularly in cases involving gender discrimination and DV. These strategies include the fair and prudent application of the law, consideration of the interests of victims and children, and a holistic, comprehensive approach to adjudication. In adjudicating cases, judges refer to various legal instruments, including Law No. 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence and the Compilation of Islamic Law. Practically, this study serves as a reference for policymakers and judicial officials, particularly judges within the Religious Courts, to enhance sensitivity toward gender issues and improve the effectiveness of handling domestic violence cases, thereby further strengthening legal protection for women and children.

References

Alfitri, Alfitri. “Protecting Women from Domestic Violence: Islam, Family Law, and the State in Indonesia.” Studia Islamika 27, no. 2 (August 2020): 273–307. https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v27i2.9408.

Amrullah, Rinaldy, Diah Gustiniati, and Tri Andrisman. “Restorative Justice as an Effort to Resolve Excessive Crimes Against Cigarettes.” Al-Risalah: Forum Kajian Hukum Dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan 22, no. 2 (December 2022): 188–200. https://doi.org/10.30631/alrisalah.v22i2.1249.

Andini, Thathit Manon. “identifikasi kejadian kekerasan pada anak di kota malang.” Jurnal Perempuan Dan Anak 2, no. 1 (April 2019): 13–28. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpa.v2i1.5636.

Andriko, Riko, Bahrul Fawaid, and Adityo Puro Prakoso. “Legal Reform for Gender Equality: The Role of State Institutions and Society in Protecting Domestic Violence Victims in Indonesia.” JURNAL AKTA 12, no. 4 (January 2026): 1377–94. https://doi.org/10.30659/akta.v12i4.49600.

Anshor, Ahmad Muhtadi, and Muhammad Ngizzul Muttaqin. “The Implementation of Gender-Responsive Fiqh: A Study of Model Application of Women-Friendly and Child Care Village in Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.” Justicia Islamica 19, no. 1 (June 2022): 1. https://doi.org/10.21154/justicia.v19i1.3705.

Antoni, Herli, Asmak Ul Hosnah, and Angelica Clara Anaztasia Simanjuntak. “Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Korban Kekerasan Seksual Pada Anak Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022 Tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual.” Logika : Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies 15, no. 02 (October 2024): 235–47. https://doi.org/10.25134/logika.v15i02.10471.

Ariefulloh, Ariefulloh, Hibnu Nugroho, Angkasa Angkasa, and Riris Ardhanariswari. “Restorative justice-based criminal case resolution in Salatiga, Indonesia: Islamic law perspective and legal objectives.” Ijtihad : Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam dan Kemanusiaan 23, no. 1 (May 2023): 19–36. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v23i1.19-36.

Arifulloh, Achmad. “Legal Protection for Children as Perpetrators of Sexual Violence.” KnE Social Sciences, November 3, 2025, 289–301. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i28.20124.

Badruzaman, Dudi. “keadilan dan kesetaraan gender untuk para perempuan korban kekerasan dalam rumah tangga (KDRT).” Tahkim (Jurnal Peradaban Dan Hukum Islam) 3, no. 1 (March 2020): 103–24. https://doi.org/10.29313/tahkim.v3i1.5558.

Barbin, Arianna, Ioana Crivatu, Kari Davies, Miranda A. H. Horvath, and Ruth Spence. “‘Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse: Victim, Suspect and Crime Predictors of Police Outcomes.’” Journal of Family Violence, ahead of print, January 6, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00802-z.

Chambers, James. Domestic Violence Sourcebook, 7th Ed. Infobase Holdings, Inc, 2022.

Cholil, Mufidah, Abd Rouf, Prayudi Rahmatullah, and Mohammad Fauzan Ni’ami. “Domestic Violence and Women’s Legal Awareness: The Family Corner Programs Interventions through the Perspective of Maqāṣid al-Usrah.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 17, no. 2 (December 2025): 649–74. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v17i2.30101.

Ellis, Desmond. Domestic Violence Death Reviews and Femicide: Theory, Research, Practice, Policy. Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2025.

Faridaturrohmah, Enik. Judge of the Religious Court of Malang Regency, Interview, 23 February 2025.

Fadil, Fadil, Zidna Mazidah, and Zaenul Mahmudi. “Fulfillment of Women’s Rights After Divorce: Dynamics and Transformation in the Legal Journey.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum dan Syar’iah 16, no. 1 (June 2024): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v16i1.25713.

Fahira, Meida Anggi, and Syawaludin Nur A. Fahmi. “Professional Ethics of Judges in Court.” MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review 1, no. 2 (December 2022): 176–87. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v1i2.6207.

Fairuzzen, Mohamad Revaldy, Asmak Ul Hosnah, and Abil Arya Putra. “Menelusuri Akar Masalah: Faktor Penyebab Angka Kriminalitas Anak Di Bawah Umur.” Indonesian Journal of Islamic Jurisprudence, Economic and Legal Theory 2, no. 4 (2024): 1947–57. https://doi.org/10.62976/ijijel.v2i4.737.

Faisol, Muhammad, Sri Lumatus Saadah, Martha Eri Safira, and Lailatul Mufidah. “Sexual Exploitation in Marriage Tourism: Justice and Legal Protection for Victims in Cianjur and Jember.” Justicia Islamica 21, no. 1 (June 2024): 43–62. https://doi.org/10.21154/justicia.v21i1.7338.

Ferreira, Ana Rita, and Ana Isabel Sani. “Domestic Violence and Custody Proceedings: An Analysis of Judicial Decisions in Portugal.” Journal of Family Violence 41, no. 1 (January 2026): 195–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00739-3.

Frances, Tanya. Narratives of Childhood Domestic Violence: Epistemic Justice, Young Women and Transitions to Young Adulthood. Taylor & Francis, 2025.

Harry, Musleh, Saifullah, Jundiani, and Meisy Fajarani. “Examining the Provision of Legal and Religious Education to Islamic Families to Safeguard the Rights and Well-Being of Women and Children: A Case Study Conducted in Malang Regency, East Java.” Samarah 8, no. 3 (2024): 1526–46. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.19566.

Hasanah, Hasyim. “kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan anak dalam rumah tangga perspektif pemberitaan mediA.” Sawwa: Jurnal Studi Gender 9, no. 1 (October 2013): 159–78. https://doi.org/10.21580/sa.v9i1.671.

Helmi, Muhammad Ishar. “Pengadilan Khusus KDRT ‘Implementasi Gagasan Sistem Peradilan Pidana Terpadu Penanganan Kasus-Kasus Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan (SPPT-PKKTP).’” Jurnal Cita Hukum 2, no. 2 (December 2014). https://doi.org/10.15408/jch.v1i2.1471.

Hertanto, Iwan, Supanto Suparto, Muhammad Rustamaji, and Yusuf Saefudin. “Police and Law Enforcement of Domestic Violence Crimes Based on Human Rights in Indonesia.” Khazanah Hukum 6, no. 2 (August 2024): 134–44. https://doi.org/10.15575/kh.v6i2.34357.

Ihsani, Syarifah Nuzulliah. “Kekerasan Berbasis Gender Dalam Victim-Blaming Pada Kasus Pelecehan Yang Dipublikasi Media Online.” Jurnal Wanita Dan Keluarga 2, no. 1 (July 2021): 12–21. https://doi.org/10.22146/jwk.2239.

Ismail, Dian Ekawaty, and Mohamad Taufiq Zulfikar Sarson. “Criminology Analysis of Women as Perpetrators of Domestic Violence Crimes.” Jambura Law Review 3, no. 0 (April 2021): 57–76. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v3i0.10984.

Isman, Isman. “Legal Reasoning Comparative Model of Asy Syatibi And Gustav Radbruch.” Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat 20, no. 1 (June 2020): 49–56. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v20i1.6089.

Izzuddin, Ahmad, and Ahmad Faiz Shobir Alfikri. “Reconstruction of Absolute Competence of Religious Courts in Criminal Cases of Domestic Violence in Indonesia.” Al-Qadha : Jurnal Hukum Islam Dan Perundang-Undangan 12, no. 1 (April 2025): 62–81. https://doi.org/10.32505/qadha.v12i1.10874.

Izzudin, Mediating Judge, Religious Court of Malang Regency, Interview, 23 February 2025.

Jerrett, Michael, Michael Buzzelli, Richard T. Burnett, and Patrick F. DeLuca. “Particulate Air Pollution, Social Confounders, and Mortality in Small Areas of an Industrial City.” Social Science & Medicine 60, no. 12 (June 2005): 2845–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.11.006.

Karakurt, Günnur, Esin Koç, Pranaya Katta, Nicole Jones, and Shari D. Bolen. “Treatments for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Frontiers in Psychology 13 (February 2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.793021.

Karya, Dewi. “tindak pidana kekerasan dalam rumah tangga yang dilakukan suami terhadap istri (Studi Kasus Di Pengadilan Negeri Gresik).” DiH: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, ahead of print, February 1, 2013. https://doi.org/10.30996/dih.v9i17.248.

Katz, Ori, and Eyal Zamir. “Law, Justice and Reason-Giving.” Journal of Empirical Legal Studies 22, no. 2 (2025): 243–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/jels.12412.

Khalid, Hasbuddin, Humaera, Sufirman Rahman, and Hardianto Djanggih. “Legal Reasoning Judge’s Decision in Civil Cases.” Journal of Law and Sustainable Development 12, no. 1 (January 2024): e2544–e2544. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v12i1.2544.

Komisi Yudisial. “Profesionalisme Hakim: Studi Tentang Putusan Pengadilan Tingkat Pertama Dalam Perkara Perdata Dan Pidana Di Indonesia,” Research Repsort, Jakarta: Komisi Yudisial, 6 (2009).

Law No. 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence.

Lukito, Ratno. “Religious ADR: Mediation in Islamic Family Law Tradition.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 44, no. 2 (December 2006): 2. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2006.442.325-346.

Mahfiana, Layyin, Masrukin Masrukin, Diana Zahro, and Lukman Santoso. “The Structure and Culture of Negotiating Child Victims’ Rights in Cases of Sexual Violence.” Legality : Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum 34, no. 1 (February 2026): 22–45. https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v34i1.42348.

Maimun, Maimun. “The Women’s Rights in Divorce and Gender Equality Discourse in The Dynamics of Divorce in Madura.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 1 (June 2022): 468–92. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i1.12804.

Martínez-Heredia, Nazaret, Gracia González-Gijón, Andrés Soriano Díaz, and Ana Amaro Agudo. “Dating Violence: A Bibliometric Review of the Literature in Web of Science and Scopus.” Social Sciences 10, no. 11 (November 2021): 445. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10110445.

Mathews, Ben, Rosana Pacella, Michael P. Dunne, Marko Simunovic, and Cicely Marston. “Improving Measurement of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Systematic Review and Analysis of National Prevalence Studies.” PLOS ONE 15, no. 1 (January 2020): e0227884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227884.

Messing, Jill Theresa, and John W. Heeren. “Gendered Justice: Domestic Homicide and the Death Penalty.” Feminist Criminology 4, no. 2 (April 2009): 170–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085108327657.

Nasution, Nurul Putri Awaliah, Fathul Hamdani, and Ana Fauzia. “The Concept of Restorative Justice in Handling Crimes in the Criminal Justice System.” European Journal of Law and Political Science 1, no. 5 (November 2022): 32–41. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejpolitics.2022.1.5.37.

Nasyiah, Iffaty. “Urgency of Fatwa on Domestic Psychological Violence in Indonesia as an Effort to Protect Women’s Rights.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 16, no. 1 (June 2024): 118–40. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v16i1.26403.

Nugraha, Guntur Gusti. “Konsep Sosiologis Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga Serta Praktiknya Dalam Kehidupan Masyarakat Indonesia.” Jurnal Studi Gender Dan Anak 8, no. 02 (2021): 195. https://doi.org/10.32678/jsga.v8i02.5509.

Nurkhovivah, Mahmudha, and Khaidarulloh. “Perspektif Qira’Ah Mubadalah Terhadap Sikap Posesif Istri Kepada Suami.” Al-Syakhsiyyah: Journal of Law and Family Studies 6, no. 1 (July 2024). https://doi.org/10.21154/syakhsiyyah.v6i1.9022.

Prasad, Suji, and Rangasami Periyan. “Factors Influencing Intimate Partner Violence.” Indian Journal of Community Health 31, no. 1 (March 2019): 4–9. https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2019.v31i01.002.

Purdiantika, Fernenda, and Lukman Santoso. “Pengaturan Marital Rape Di Indonesia Perspektif Fiqh Jinayah Tentang Keluarga.” Jurnal Antologi Hukum 4, no. 2 (October 2024): 340–64. https://doi.org/10.21154/antologihukum.v4i2.3965.

Putri, Anggreany Haryani. “Legal Protection for Children as Victims of Sexual Violence Reviewed in Terms of Benefits for the Victims.” Pena Justisia: Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum 24, no. 1 (June 2025): 3164–70. https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v24i2.6700.

Radbruch, Gustav. “Five Minutes of Legal Philosophy (1945).” Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 26, no. 1 (2006): 13–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/ojls/gqi042.

Rahmi, Ayu Atika, Legal Affairs Officer of the Religious Court of Malang Regency, Interview, 23 Februari 2025

Risal, M. Chaerul. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Korban Kekerasan Seksual Pasca Pengesahan Undang-Undang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual : Penerapan dan Efektivitas.” Al-Daulah : Jurnal Hukum Pidana dan Ketatanegaraan 11, no. 1 (June 2022): 75–93. https://doi.org/10.24252/ad.v1i2.34207.

Romanova, A. S. “Moral and Ethical Aspects in the Professional Activity of a Judge.” Analytical and Comparative Jurisprudence, no. 6 (December 2024): 953–57. https://doi.org/10.24144/2788-6018.2024.06.160.

Santoso, Lukman, and Bustanul Arifin. “Perlindungan Perempuan Korban Kekerasan Perspektif Hukum Islam.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum dan Syar’iah 8, no. 2 (2016): 2. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v8i2.3732.

Sękowska-Kozłowska, Katarzyna. “Proving Domestic Violence as Gender Structural Discrimination before the European Court of Human Rights.” International Journal for the Semiotics of Law - Revue Internationale de Sémiotique Juridique 37, no. 6 (October 2024): 1725–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11196-024-10148-w.

Siswanto, Yayan Agus, Fajar Rachmad Dwi Miarsa, and Sudjiono. “Upaya Preventif Sebagai Bentuk Perlindungan Hukum Dari Kejahatan Kekerasan Seksual Pada Anak:” Jurnal Kolaboratif Sains 7, no. 5 (May 2024): 1651–67. https://doi.org/10.56338/jks.v7i5.5313.

Sriwododo, Joko. , Pengantar Hukum Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga. Yogyakarta: Kepel Press, 2020.

Sukardi, Sukardi, and Hadi Rahmat Purnama. “Restorative Justice Principles in Law Enforcement and Democracy in Indonesia.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 7, no. 1 (June 2022): 155–90. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v7i1.53057.

Sukmana, Oman, Fadli Erwan Ibrahim, Agung Nugroho, Sulatsri, Erinda Dwimagistri Sukmana, and Wahyudi. “Analyzing Social Services for Child Victims of Violence: A Case from Malang, Indonesia.” International Journal of Law and Society 4, no. 1 (May 2025): 67–83. https://doi.org/10.59683/ijls.v4i1.135.

Supardin, Muhammad Ikhlas, Jaih Mubarok, J. M. Muslimin, Muhammad Nasril, and Rahma Amir. “legal reasoning by judges in the decision of the religious court in the dki jakarta area regarding sharia financing.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 10, no. 1 (April 2025): 1–29. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i1.10917.

Suryani, Irma, Arifki Budia Warman, Alfi Husni, Andiko, and Revalina Fathiya Azzahra. “Between Culture and Safety: The Paradox of Protecting Domestic Violence Victims in Mediation at the Batusangkar Religious Court, Indonesia.” Nusantara: Journal of Law Studies 5, no. 1 (April 2026): 331–58. https://doi.org/10.66325/nusantaralaw.v5i1.168.

Tshoane, Sabelinah, Adewale A. Olutola, Paul O. Bello, and Jacob T. Mofokeng. “Domestic Violence against Men: Unmuting the Reality of the Forgotten Gender.” Cogent Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (December 2024): 2304990. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2304990.

“Violence Against Women.” Accessed May 3, 2026. https://kemenpppa.go.id/index.php/buku/violence-against-women.

Wahyuni, Sri, Siti Nurbayani, Ilma Kesumaningsih, and Dinar Hargono. “Korban Dan/Atau Pelaku: Atribusi Victim Blaming Pada Korban Kekerasan Seksual Berbasis Gender Di Lingkungan Kampus.” Brawijaya Journal of Social Science 2, no. 1 (December 2022): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.bjss.2022.002.01.1.

Widodo, Hendro, Anis Mashdurohatun, Kristiawanto, Andrianto Budi Santoso, and Derick Yunanda. “Restitution as an Instrument of Justice for Victims of Domestic Sexual Violence: A Study of Positive and Islamic Law in the Contemporary Era.” MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review 4, no. 1 (June 2025): 676–99. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i1.10436.

Wijaya, Andy Fefta, Salma Tarek, Eid Esmael, and Mohammad Nuh. Analysis of the Divorce Service System in Malang City Religious Courts : A Comprehensive Study on the Process, Cost, Time, Additional Services, and User Perception. 2025. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.30-10-2024.2354724.

Yonfa, Erick D. A., Malinda Fasol, Camila M. Cueva, and Anna C. Zavgorodniaya. “Intimate Partner Violence: A Literature Review.” The Open Psychology Journal 14, no. 1 (February 2021): 11–16. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874350102114010011.