Characteristics of Victims of Environmental Crime in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the concept of environmental crime in Indonesia and the characteristics of victims of environmental crime in Indonesia. Three aspects are strongly felt by the community as the impact of environmental damage, namely (1) community health and economy, (2) environmental damage as a form of environmental crime resulting from state policies, and (3) corporations as actors causing environmental damage.  Environmental crimes mostly occur due to industrial development carried out by companies or legal entities. Even though they have positive impacts, companies also have a negative influence on the environment. Victims of environmental crimes have their own qualifications, namely that they are usually unaware of the fact that they have actually been victims of a crime. In environmental crimes themselves, environmental victimization is often only seen or felt by the community at a later date when the victims realize that they have been victimized. Using normative legal research methods, this study shows that victims of environmental crimes are people who are directly and indirectly harmed by the occurrence of environmental crimes. The losses suffered by victims can be physical (health impacts or property damage), emotional (depression), or financial (medical bills or repairs). Victims can be people who are directly affected or close family members. Victims of environmental crimes are characterized by: limited attention to victims of environmental crimes, widespread victimization: transnational, national, local, often not taken seriously/considered dangerous by the community, criminal justice institutions, and academics, and most victims will never be officially recognized as victims from a legal/social science perspective.