Urgency of Realizing Bystander Concept in Preventing Crime Victims

The concept of bystander intervention is not yet widely recognized or legally established in Indonesia, whereas it has emerged internationally as a crucial and effective element in crime prevention. This research aims to explore bystander intervention as a promising concept for preventing victimization. It does so by examining legal frameworks in other countries and assessing the potential for their implementation in Indonesia, drawing upon local wisdom values and existing criminal law norms. This research employs a normative juridical approach, utilizing conceptual, legislative, and comparative methodologies. The analysis is based on secondary data and is conducted through qualitative and comparative analysis. It has been established that bystander intervention is an ideal concept for crime prevention, as it provides both direct and indirect forms of intervention. In various countries, this concept has been successfully advanced through programmatic initiatives, including formalized training and educational curricula designed to empower both students and adults to prevent victimization. While the concept of a "bystander" is not officially recognized in Indonesia, its principles find legal resonance in Articles 532 and 432 of the 2023 Criminal Code. Moreover, the core tenets of bystander intervention are consistent with local wisdom values, particularly the principles of kinship, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and mutual aid (tolong-menolong). The findings of this research culminate in several practical recommendations. It is recommended that a Bystander Intervention Program be formally incorporated into educational and workplace training curricula. Additionally, the study advocates for the more effective enforcement of existing criminal law provisions, specifically Article 532 and Article 432 of the 2023 Criminal Code, to provide a legal basis for intervention. The research also emphasizes the importance of utilizing and revitalizing local wisdom values to support these efforts.