Journal Juris Sinergi
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Emerging Legal Issues and Contemporary Legal Studies

Criminal Policy on Prostitution and the Legal Position of Sex Workers in Indonesian Criminal Law Reform

Siti Fahira Mashuri Nasution (Master’s Programme in Law, Postgraduate School, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara)
Adi Mansar (Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara)
Guntur Rambey (Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Oct 2026

Abstract

This article examines how Indonesian law regulates parties involved in prostitution, the need for statutory harmonisation, and the relationship between penal and non-penal policy. It uses doctrinal legal research through statutory and conceptual analysis, supplemented by a limited comparison with Sweden’s approach to purchaser liability. The findings show that facilitation, extramarital intercourse, trafficking, sexual exploitation, and pornography are governed by offences with different elements and protective purposes. Legal responsibility therefore depends on conduct and statutory requirements, while victim status requires separate assessment. The National Criminal Code and the 2026 Penal Adjustment Law also require careful distinction between historical and current provisions. Sweden illustrates a policy that criminalises purchasing sexual acts without criminalising their sale under the same provision. This comparison informs legislative options but does not establish that purchaser criminalisation would achieve the same outcomes in Indonesia. Any proposed offence should address a defined harm, specify fault and evidentiary requirements, avoid unnecessary overlap, and protect access to assistance. Enforcement should be integrated with social support, economic opportunities, education, digital literacy, and coordinated services. The article concludes that reform should pursue legal certainty and prevention of exploitation through differentiated responsibility and proportionate measures.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jsj

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Juris Sinergi Journal (JSJ) merupakan jurnal hukum yang berfokus pada penelitian interdisipliner dalam bidang hukum. Jurnal ini menyediakan platform bagi para peneliti untuk menerbitkan karya-karya yang menyinergikan berbagai aspek hukum dengan disiplin ilmu lain, mencakup studi kasus, teori hukum, ...