Indonesian woman held captive in cave for 15 years; raped in cave by 83-year-old spiritual healer
Indonesian woman was held captive, and raped regularly by 83-year-old spiritual healer for 15 years.
According to the police, the victim's family had brought her for treatment in 2003, when she was 13 years old. The spiritual healer was well-known for offering alternative medicines and "magical" healing methods.
She was helped by an 83-year-old village shaman named Jago, the Jakarta Post reported. After detaining and interrogating Jago, they found and rescued her.
Jago told H's family that she had left to go "far away," police said. She was reported missing after her family failed to track her down.
According to the police statement, Jago sexually assaulted H for 15 years under the pretense of magic or witchcraft. He would show her a photo of a man named Amrin, who he claimed was a jin, or genie. During sex, Amrin would then appear or enter Jago's body, Jago told H, police said.
"Since the perpetrator was well-respected in the village, there is a possibility that there are other victims that have not yet come forward because they are afraid," Magdalena Sitorus, commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, told the Jakarta Post.
"The victim should be brought to a hospital for psychological and reproductive health examinations," she added. "Who knows what kind of changes 15 years have brought her."
The police have charged Jago under articles of the Child Protection Law regarding sexual abuse of underage children. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
