Interpreting Power, Grooming, and Deception in Sexual Violence Cases: A Hermeneutic Study on Legal Challenges in Indonesia

Despite ongoing social progress, criminal acts remain unpredictable, and the rise in various offenses has heightened public concern. Criminality forms a cyclical challenge to legal norms, often creating a sense of permanence. Criminal law must adapt as societies evolve, necessitating continuous legal reform and contextual alignment. Sexual violence, particularly prevalent in Indonesia, profoundly impacts families, communities, workplaces, and educational institutions. A high incidence of Online-Based Sexual Violence (OBSV), harassment, and rape disproportionately affects women. The legal ambiguity surrounding the interpretation of “power relations” and the concept of grooming in sexual violence cases leads to an unclear legal framework, diminishing justice for victims. This study employs a conceptual approach and hermeneutic analysis to clarify these terms, aiming to enhance understanding of how gender inequality and social constructs shape interpretations of power dynamics and grooming in physical sexual harassment cases. By addressing these complexities, the study seeks to advance authentic comprehension of the power imbalances at play in sexual violence incidents.