The Urgency of Drafting an Omnibus Law for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Women and Children

Abstract

The protection of women and children as vulnerable groups constitutes a constitutional obligation of the state that must be realized through an effective, coherent, and victim-oriented legal system. However, the existence of various sectoral regulations, such as the Child Protection Law, the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence, the Law on the Eradication of Human Trafficking, and the Law on Sexual Violence Crimes, has created overlapping legal provisions, fragmented institutional authority, and procedural complexities in case handling. These conditions have resulted in delays in law enforcement processes, the emergence of sectoral ego among institutions, and obstacles to the fulfillment of victims’ rights. This study aims to analyze the overlapping regulatory framework governing the protection of vulnerable groups, examine its impact on victims’ access to justice, and formulate the concept of an Omnibus Law as a solution for integrating the protection system in Indonesia. The research employs a normative legal research method using statutory and conceptual approaches. Data were collected through library research consisting of primary and secondary legal materials and were analyzed qualitatively. The findings reveal that regulatory fragmentation has generated legal uncertainty, prolonged bureaucratic procedures in case management, and increased the risk of revictimization of victims. Therefore, the enactment of an Omnibus Law on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups is urgently needed to integrate various sectoral regulations into a single, harmonized, and comprehensive legal framework centered on victim recovery. Through this approach, a more effective protection system can be established, ensuring legal certainty, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and guaranteeing prompt, accessible, and dignified access to justice for women and children who are victims of violence and exploitation.