Women, Sexual Violence and the Indonesian Killings of 1965-66

Annie Pohlman teaches in the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia

"Pohlman presents a convincing account of “what women were saying” and provides critical understanding in relation to sexual violence in studies of conflict and mass social turbulence. The gendered and gendering effects of sexual violence against women and girls in 1965-66 is likely to have a continuing influence on Indonesia’s contemporary history discourse regarding that period. Despite anti-communism in Indonesia still existing and being used as a general tool for the suppression of dissent, these women’s testimonies and experiences can generate public recognition and acknowledgment about what has happened and been ignored or silenced. This is the kind of book that needs to be read by Indonesians and, therefore, needs to be translated into Bahasa Indonesia." - Dewi RatnawulanRapid Asia, Thailand"Women, Sexual Violence and the Indonesian Killings is a valuable contribution to the literature on the 1965 violence in Indonesia. It provides an extremely important perspective on the impact of this violence on women and girls. It attends to this topic with sensitivity and dignity. It is a difficult read at times, but it is an essential one for those interested in Indonesia’s history and politics, mass violence and atrocities, and the particular experiences of women and girls. Pohlman’s book subtly, sensitively, yet persuasively demands acknowledgement of and justice for the crimes perpetrated against women and others during this violent period of Indonesia’s past." - Hannah Loney, Inside Indonesia

• 1. Women and Violence following the 1965 Coup 2. Getting Caught and Being Killed 3. The Violence of Detention 4. Explaining Sexual Violence 5. Sexual Assaults During the Killings and in Detention6. Mutilation and Sexual Violence 7. Humiliation and the Strip-Searching of Women and Girls 8. Sexual Slavery and Istri Diambil (Wife-taking) 9. Conclusions