Main Perpetrators Research Articles

Application of the Status of Justice Collaborator in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia (Case Study: Decision of Central Jakarta District Court Number 41/Pid.sus/TPK/ 2017/PN. JKT)

In Indonesian criminal law, the status of a Perpetrator Witness (Justice Collaborator) has significant legal consequences. With the entry of this Justice Collaborator regulation, the threat of criminal punishment will be less effective against perpetrators of serious crimes. This will make it more difficult to identify the main perpetrators in cases of crimes committed together, and will be a new strategy to avoid the threat of high punishment because the status of a Justice Collaborator is guaranteed to get leniency for serious crimes committed. The enactment of the regulation on the status of Justice Collaborator in corruption criminal justice which provides a guarantee of a reduction in punishment for perpetrator witnesses is seen as very counterproductive with a very high criminal threat for corruption perpetrators as perpetrators of certain crimes (serious crimes). Most people in Indonesia even strongly agree that the criminal threat for the perpetrators of corruption crimes is the death penalty, so great are the hopes of people who want no more corruption crimes that are very detrimental to the state and the people of Indonesia.

Interference with mitochondrial function as part of the antifibrogenic effect of Rilpivirine: A step towards novel targets in hepatic stellate cell activation

Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), the main perpetrators of liver fibrosis, are a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of chronic liver disease. During liver injury, HSCs transcend from a quiescent to a fibrotic phenotype, a process which involves major metabolic reprogramming with altered mitochondrial function. The antiretroviral drug Rilpivirine (RPV) has demonstrated a hepatoprotective and specifically antifibrotic effect in several animal models of chronic liver injury, as well as in vitro. Herein, we use HSCs activated with the profibrogenic cytokine TGF-β to explore whether mitochondrial function is implicated in this effect. The mitochondrial bioenergetic profile, morphology and dynamics of TGF-β-treated cells (48 h) were altered and these effects were prevented by co-treatment with clinically relevant concentrations of RPV. A MitoStress Test (Seahorse Analyzer) revealed that TGF-β increased both oxygen consumption rate (basal respiration, maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity) and extracellular acidification rate (indicative of increased glycolysis). Cells exposed to TGF-β also displayed diminished mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced mitochondrial fission. All of these effects were rescued with RPV. RNA sequencing analysis of cells exposed to TGF-β revealed the presence of 338 differentially expressed genes that encode mitochondrial proteins (mito-DEGs), of which 139 and 199 were significantly up- and down-regulated (adjusted p<0.05). This alteration in 15 (10.79 %) and 31 (22.03 %) of the up-regulated and 16 (8.04 %) and 49 (24.62 %) of the down-regulated mitoDEGs was prevented with co-exposure to RPV 4μM or 8μM, respectively. In conclusion, alterations in mitochondrial function are implicated in the antifibrogenic action of RPV, pointing to potential novel antifibrotic targets.

Exploring Factors Influencing the Internal Displacement Decisions Amidst Natural Disasters in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, a densely populated country in the world’s largest coastal delta, is seriously threatened by the ongoing onslaught of major natural disasters brought on by climate change. The main perpetrators, cyclonic storms and floods cause millions of displaced people each year and increase the vulnerability of communities already facing devastation from the environment and poverty due to these disasters. This study explores the complex patterns of internal displacement brought on by cyclonic storms and floods in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2022. The study identifies the patterns, trends, vulnerable districts, and influencing factors of displacement by analysing data from multiple sources. Every year, an average of 6.14 million people are displaced by floods, a persistent problem. Gaibandha is the district most at risk, having seen 13 floods in the previous 15 years. Throughout the study period, Bhola experienced eight strikes from cyclonic storms that decimated the southern coast. These natural disasters force people to move from environmentally susceptible to safe areas. The disaster’s intensity or frequency and some economic, social, and political factors influence this decision to displace. The study also identifies factors that influence displacement decisions after catastrophic disasters. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of understanding displacement patterns and influencing factors to make informed decisions about displacement in such situations.

Interpersonal violence against people with intellectual disabilities in São Paulo, Brazil: characteristics of victims, perpetrators and referrals

IntroductionInterpersonal violence is a phenomenon that can occur with different people and conditions. However, people with intellectual disabilities have increased vulnerability to this problem, with potential risks to their health and well-being. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of people with disabilities who have been victims of interpersonal violence, the profile of the perpetrators and the measures taken after the victims have been cared for.MethodsThis is an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study using the Interpersonal Violence Notification Forms entered into the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s Notifiable Diseases Information System. The city of São Paulo was chosen as the setting because it is the largest city in Latin America and has a faster data processing system than other cities. The period covered notifications made between 2016 and 2022. The information was collected between October and November 2023 and a univariate statistical analysis was carried out. Fisher’s exact test was used, with a significance level of 5% (α = 0.05).ResultsThere were 4,603 notifications against people with intellectual disabilities in the period. The forms of physical violence, neglect/abandonment and psychological/moral violence were more frequent in the 15–19 age group, while sexual violence was more frequent in the 10–14 age group (p < 0.001). The sex most often attacked was female in all the forms investigated (p < 0.001) and the skin colors of the most victimized people were black and/or brown, except in cases of neglect/abandonment (p = 0.058). Most of the victims had little schooling (p = 0.012). The aggressions were committed by one person (p < 0.001), known or related to the victim, such as mother or father, except in cases of sexual violence, where strangers were the main perpetrators (p < 0.001). The sex of the perpetrator was male, except in cases of neglect and/or abandonment (p < 0.001), and the age was between 25 and 29 (p = 0.004). In cases of sexual violence, rape was the most frequent and the procedures carried out were blood collection followed by prophylaxis for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were the main procedures carried out by health professionals (p = 0.004). The majority of referrals made after receiving care were to the health and social assistance network, with few referrals to bodies such as the human rights reference center, guardianship council and police stations (p < 0.001).ConclusionPeople with intellectual disabilities are highly vulnerable to the forms of violence studied, especially children and adolescents, black or brown, with low levels of education. The perpetrators are usually close people, male and older than the victims. The referrals made by health professionals did not prioritize the victim’s safety and the guarantee of human rights. Lines of care for the health of victims of violence should be implemented, taking into account special aspects, such as people with intellectual disabilities, whose search for help can be difficult.

Women at crossroads: a qualitative study of induced abortion and violence in a Ghanaian region

Unsafe abortions contribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity in Ghana. To reduce this, in 1982 abortion laws in Ghana underwent reform to broaden the conditions under which abortion is accessed. Although, evidence in other contexts highlights the contribution of violence to women’s experience of unwanted pregnancy and abortion, such evidence is limited within the Ghanaian abortion literature. This study aims to fill that gap. Informed by phenomenology, interviews were conducted with 10 women who had experienced various forms of violence leading to unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions. Participants were recruited between June 2017 and March 2018 in the Ashanti region of Ghana where they sought hospital care for unsafe abortion related complications. Participants mentioned intimate partners as the main perpetrators of violence. Financial challenges were also identified as important in increasing women’s vulnerability to violence. Verbal abuse from health workers contributed to denying women access to safe abortion. This paper advances dialogue about the ways in which women’s experience of violence from intimate/non-intimate partners and healthcare workers impacts their overall abortion experience. It advocates the empowerment of women to enable them to leave violent relationships, and the retraining of health workers to enable them to adopt respectful and empathetic care practices.

Legal Certainty of Non-Prime Offender Provisions in Justice Collaborator Criteria

The judge's determination that the defendant was not the main perpetrator in the verdict of premeditated murder case number 798/Pid.B/2022/Pn.Jkt.Sel, involves the role of a justice collaborator, which requires the perpetrator to not be the main offender. Normatively, the absence of a clear definition leads to legal uncertainty. Therefore, establishing the criteria for not being the main perpetrator can be achieved through theoretical interpretation of the participation offenses related to Defendant Eliezer. Analysis of existing types of participation offenses indicates that those involved in the act (medeplegen) are not considered the main perpetrators, whereas individuals who encourage, instigate, and intend for the action to occur are deemed the main perpetrators. Consequently, based on his role, position, and authority in committing the crime, Defendant Eliezer is categorized as not the main perpetrator. The criteria for this determination focus on the individual with the greatest role and responsibility. The purpose of this research is to explore the legal certainty surrounding the determination of the main perpetrator as a criterion for becoming a justice collaborator, which lacks normative clarification. This research employs a normative juridical method with a conceptual approach, along with legislative and case study analysis. The findings indicate that the legal certainty in determining the non-main perpetrator, as a criterion for a collaborating witness in revealing premeditated murder cases involving Defendant Eliezer, lacks dogmatic legal certainty. The Criminal Code does not explicitly define the classification of non-main perpetrators within the doctrine of participation, but Articles 55-56 of the Criminal Code address the punishment for individuals involved in crimes committed collectively.

Women's experiences of sexual harassment in the retail clothing industry: a grounded theory study.

Sexual harassment is a significant problem in workplaces all over the world. Women's reactions to sexual harassment are influenced by various factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate how women respond sexual harassment in the retail clothing industry. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 women aged 23-44 years (mean 29.18 years) employed for at least 3 years in clothes shops in Shiraz, Iran. A grounded theory approach was used to analysis the data and raise hypotheses. The main perpetrators of sexual harassment for female saleswomen were male customers. The women experienced conflict-induced stimulation (core phenomenon) when they were faced with sexual harassing behaviors (causal conditions). Such stimulation prompted three types of coping strategies: silence, avoidance, or confrontation. Intervening factors like the characteristics of the Iranian society (including family mores, state-imposed hijab regulations, patriarchal culture, educational system, and regulatory monitoring) and contextual factors (including individual and environmental factors and particularly employer expectations) were found to influence the selection of strategies used as well as their potential consequences in challenging situations. The current study used a grounded theory approach to produce an explanatory storyline that can be tested. Sexual harassment induces conflict-induced stimulation and responses are influenced by intervening conditions, contextual factors, selected strategies, and the perceived consequences of the response. The findings of the grounded theory study suggest that there are negative consequences, particularly in terms of lack of employer support and losing one's job, shame, and family disapproval which act as barriers for female saleswomen to counteracting sexual harassment from male customers. Such an understanding can also be applied to develop educational policies to support women as well as ameliorate the prevalence of this essentially illegal problem.

Investigating the relationship between spousal violence against women and total fertility rate in Afghanistan

Backgroundspousal violence against women (SVAW) is a common form of violence that occurs within the family context, with spouses being the main perpetrators. Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of SVAW in the world, and its impact on reproductive health and fertility is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the extent to which SVAW influences the total fertility rate (TFR) of Afghan women.MethodsIn this study, a regression model of discrete-time survival models was used to calculate the total fertility rate (TFR), parity progression ratio (PPRs), and average closed birth intervals (CBI) between two children. The method used in this study has its roots in the works of Griffin Finney (1983) and was further developed by Redford et al. (2010). The study population utilized the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey, and sample weights were used to ensure accurate estimates for the population of Afghanistan as a whole.ResultsThe study found that women in Afghanistan who have experienced SV are more likely to progress to the next parity, start childbearing faster, and continue to do so. Women who have not experienced SV tend to progress to higher parities at a slower pace during their initial reproductive years. The study also suggests that women with spousal violence (SV) experience may have slightly higher fertility rates and shorter birth intervals for certain birth orders, although the differences between the two groups are generally small. Specifically, the total fertility rate (TFR) for women who experienced SV was 6.9, while the TFR for women who did not experience SV was 6.2.ConclusionsThese results provide valuable information for policymakers and public health professionals in developing effective policies and programs to address SVAW and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Afghanistan.

Effectiveness of Group Guidance Using Behavioral Therapy Techniques to Prevent Bullying Problems in Santri

The rise of bullying that occurs in the school environment today is very worrying. One of the impacts is targeting the perpetrator, namely aggressive behavior. This research aims to determine the bullying behavior of students, both seniors and juniors, in Islamic boarding school environments. The main perpetrators in this research were female students and female students who were involved in bullying at Islamic boarding schools. The method used in this research is a qualitative method and literature study. The data collection techniques used in this research were interviews with bullying victims directly and literature studies through journals and books. The results of the discussion from this research are that bullying behavior is rampant in Islamic boarding school environments, both direct and indirect bullying. Bullying not only often occurs due to factors in the Islamic boarding school environment, parents are also very influential in the perpetrators of bullying which often occurs in the Islamic boarding school environment. The impact of bullying is also very bad for the health of the victims, quite a few victims experience depression, excessive fear and worry easily.

Reorientasi Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Pelaku Tindak Pidana Narkotika

This study aims to review the legal aspects or legal reorientation towards children who are determined as perpetrators of narcotics crimes in Indonesia. This research is very important to be carried out conceptually to be able to provide measurable firm sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Narcotics and the Law on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. This research is a normative juridical research using primary legal materials and secondary legal materials. The results of the study found that re-orientation of the legal aspects of children as perpetrators of narcotics crimes is very important to do because there is ambiguity related to the process of punishing children as drug offenders. First, the use of the Law on Narcotics as a basic object is still borne by the perpetrator in accordance with the stipulated articles, evidence that results in criminal sanctions according to the provisions. Second, for minors, the defense is still carried out in accordance with the Law on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System, where there is a reduction in sanctions that take into account the mental and physical condition of the child. When the verdict has been determined, the offender must be placed in a special correctional institution for children and given the right to medical rehabilitation and social rehabilitation because they consider the child's future. Third, the rehabilitation aspect can be prioritized as is the case when children are only designated as victims, or there is no evidence against them as the main perpetrators of Narcotics.

Prevalence and predictors of workplace sexual harassment of nurses in the Central Region of Ghana: a cross-sectional online survey

ObjectiveWe investigated the prevalence and predictors of workplace sexual harassment against nurses in the Central Region of Ghana.DesignA cross-sectional online survey.SettingCentral Region of Ghana.ParticipantsA total of 1494 male and female...

Crimes of Conspiracy and Assistance in Terrorism

This study aims to understand the application of material criminal law to the crime of conspiracy and assistance to commit terrorism. This study uses a normative legal research method. The collected legal material is then qualitatively analyzed to describe the problem and answer the study objectives. The results show that the definition of criminal conspiracy in Article 88 of the Penal Code encompasses an agreement between two or more individuals to commit a crime. Initial discussions not directly related to crime planning do not fall within the category of a malicious conspiracy. Furthermore, concerning the crime of terrorism, material criminal law does not differentiate between the roles of conspirators, assistants, and main perpetrators in terrorism. Consequently, an agreement to commit a terrorist crime made by two or more individuals already fulfils the element of criminal conspiracy. In this context, conspirators and terrorism assistants can be prosecuted according to Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2002, even if the planned terrorist act has not been executed. Therefore, it is recommended for law enforcers, including POLRI, Prosecutors, and Judges, to pay close attention to the nuances of the criminal conspiracy definition according to the Penal Code and Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 1 of 2002 in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. It is crucial to distinguish between initial discussions that do not indicate preparation for a criminal act and explicit agreements to commit a terrorist crime. Law enforcers must apply a thorough understanding of how material criminal law classifies conspirators, assistants, and main perpetrators without distinction in terrorism cases. Thus, fair and accurate handling of individuals planning terrorist crimes can be realized while upholding the principles of justice and proportionality in law enforcement.

The Role of Teacher Trade Unions in Preventing Staff Victimisation: Voices from the South African Teachers

Teacher Trade Unions remain an integral part of stakeholders within the basic education sector and the school organogram. However, research pertaining to the role that can be played by Teacher Unions in preventing staff victimisation remains restricted globally, and with no enquiry arising within the South African milieu. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of teachers regarding the role of Teacher Trade Unions in preventing staff victimisation, in the District 10 schools of the Province of Gauteng. The researchers used a qualitative approach, grounded in phenomenology as the research design. The sample consisted of five teachers who belong to various unions and data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that teacher unions were found to be the main perpetrators of staff victimisation particularly when it comes to promotional positions. The study concluded that for teacher unions to protect teachers’ rights, they should not be aligned with political parties. The study recommended that teacher unions should instead conduct training and workshops on pro-social behaviour, peaceful conflict resolution and how teachers are supposed to protect themselves from retribution and threats. The study aims to advance scholarship on the role of teacher unions in creating safer working conditions for teachers. Keywords: Teacher Unions, Socio-Ecological, Violence, Victimisation.

“Just Shut Up and Take It”: South African University Students on Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment and gender-based violence have become pervasive and normal within South African society. This trend is of grave concern at colleges and universities. Drawing on the social construction of the gender theory approach, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment among students at a South African university. The nature and causes of sexual harassment were examined. Twenty undergraduate students—twelve females, five males, one queer and two bisexual students—participated in this study. Data was generated using individual interviews and focus group discussions. Sexual harassment was prevalent at the university in the form of verbal, non-verbal and physical harassment. We argue that harassment stems from broader constructs of masculinity and patriarchal power that challenge and effectively silence victims. Non-reporting of harassment largely sanctions sexual harassment at the university. Female students were the main victims of gender-based violence with male students being the main perpetrators. LGBTQIA students were found to be vulnerable to harassment, mainly because of their sexual preference. The study revealed the need to create better awareness of what constitutes sexual harassment and gender-based violence and suggests that victims, perpetrators and university staff collaborate to tackle the scourge. We propose the necessity for focused and ongoing education and awareness campaigns on campus.

Žrtve Drugog svetskog rata u Niškom okrugu

According to the first administrative division after the Second World War, the district of Niš (okrug) consisted of six counties (srez): Aleksinački, Banjski, Moravski, Svrljiški, Niški i Zaplanjski. The first systematic investigation into the crimes committed during the occupation after the liberation was entrusted to the State Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Committed by the Occupiers and Their Abettors. This commission was established at the second session of the AVNOJ in Jajce. The paper statistically analyses the victims in the district of Niš according to the perpetrators, geographical origin and type of suffering. In addition to the victims, “bodily injuries” as well as “violations of personal freedom” are also analysed. In the first census in 1945, 2,644 victims were registered in the Niš district. The German occupying forces were identified as the main perpetrators of the crimes. As this census was only carried out superficially, the process was repeated at the beginning of 1946. The new census recorded 5,067 victims in the area in question. The German occupying forces were also recognised as the main perpetrators of the crimes in this census. The systematic census of war victims was initiated by the Federal Executive Council in 1964. Due to the passage of time and the ideological component, it is assumed that its scope was 56‒59% of the actual victims. In six municipalities that previously formed the Niš district, 5,801 war victims who lost their lives and 6,174 victims who survived the war were registered. Although both counts are useful to get a general picture of the victims of the Second World War, we believe that both victim counts have significant shortcomings, mainly due to their ideological component. Nevertheless, the results of both censuses are an indispensable source for the quantification of war crimes on the territory of Yugoslavia.

Lattice-Based Cryptography in the Quantum Era: A Survey

The advent of quantum computing reveals current classical cryptography’s incapacity to withstand attacks within the new paradigm. Quantum algorithms break such encryption with impressive ease, with Shor and Grover algorithms being the main perpetrators. Lattice-based key encryption is the suggested solution in multiple instances, as the complexity and randomness that these methods add to message encryption make them one of the best short- and medium-term solutions. In 2016, NIST launched a contest to find algorithms to incorporate into its security standard. Four algorithms from the third round were selected to be standardized, including the lattice-based CRYSTALSkyber. Of the latter, variants have been and are still being developed that manage to amend some weaknesses found in its implementation, such as side-channel attacks or performance issues. This investigation discusses different publications on lattice-based cryptography in conjunction with cryptanalysis in the quantum era.

Asset Return in Money Laundering

Money Laundering Crime as a further criminal act has placed and involved two main perpetrators, namely active actors as parties trying to hide or disguise the origin of assets that are the result of criminal acts in various ways, and passive actors as parties who receive Money Laundering Crime assets. The return of Money Laundering Crime assets is not only through coercive measures, but also requires a voluntary return by the receiving party. In practice, voluntary returns create uncertainty when the receiving party (passive actor) from the beginning does not know the origin of the assets received. Through various money laundering cases in Indonesia in June-July 2022, the Authors are very interested in analyzing the extent of obligations related to the return of Money Laundering Crime assets. This research uses normative juridical methodology with Law approach and concept approach. The purpose of this study is to determine the obligations that must be carried out by passive trafficking actors based on Law No. 8 of 2010.

Overview of road traffic injuries among migrant workers in Guangzhou, China, from 2017 to 2021

IntroductionThere are many migrant workers in China’s first-tier cities, but little is known about road safety. This paper systematically analysed road traffic injuries and risk factors among migrant workers in...

The leading personnel of the German Police apparatus in Kyiv, 1941–1943

On September 29–30, 1941, the mass shooting of the predominantly Jews in Babyn Yar was carried out by execution teams consisting of members of Sonderkommando 4a and the 45th (reserve) and 303rd police battalions assigned to help. Members of Ukrainian police were engaged in sorting the belongings of the dead and other auxiliary functions. As a result, up to 34,000 Jews were killed in two days. Historians have already established the biographies of the main perpetrators involved in these shootings. However, the killings did not end there. Jews, POW’s, communists, members of the Soviet and OUN underground, as well as ordinary citizens were executed throughout the entire German occupation of Kyiv. The main perpetrators of mass violence belonged to the SS und Polizei apparatus. Nevertheless, the issue of responsible institutions and their personnel remains unsolved. That is why the author of the article aims to highlight the personnel of two main German institutions — the Ordnungspolizei, and Sicherheitspolizei, and SD.

Prevalence and Motivations for Technology-facilitated Gender- and Sexuality-based Violence Among Adults: A Mixed-methods Study

Technology-facilitated gender- and sexuality-based violence (TFGSV) refers to the set of behaviors through which technology is used to harm people because of their sexual or gender identities. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of the perpetration of different forms of TFGSV among adults, to analyze possible gender and age differences, and to explore the motivations behind these aggressive acts. A mixed-methods approach was employed to integrate quantitative data (N = 2,316, 69% women; Mage = 27.22, SDage = 10.169) with qualitative open-ended data (n = 239, 61.5% women; Mage= 26.3, SDage = 8.38) to gain a more in-depth understanding of TFGSV perpetration and its motivations. The results that TFGSV is a prevalent issue among all age groups and 25.6% of the participants had perpetrated some form of it. In addition, although men are the main perpetrators, women and non-binary people may also be involved in TFGSV perpetration. The main motivations behind TFGSV perpetration included expressing ideological disagreement, rejecting someone, self-defense or defending others, managing unpleasant emotions, socializing, and a lack of reflection or awareness. Another motivation for sharing TFGSV content was to increase awareness of this type of aggression by making it visible to others. These results suggests that prevention programs should target all age groups and consider all the motivations behind the perpetration of TFGSV.