ALSA 2025 meeting

Domestic violence (DV) is is both a social and legal issue with significant consequences for victims and the legal system as a whole. In many communities, however, domestic violence is often seen as a typical household conflict rather than a criminal act necessitating legal intervention. This research aims to examine the distorted public interpretation of domestic violence and its impact on the legitimacy of state law. Using a qualitative approach based on social legal studies, this research was conducted through a case study in Pekalongan. Data was collected through observation, documentation study, and in-depth interviews with 50 informants. The findings show that Pekalongan society tends to understand domestic violence not as a crime but rather as a household dynamic that can be resolved internally without legal intervention. Forms of distortion of the meaning of domestic violence include: as an internal household matter, others do not need to interfere; a medium of education (parents/husband/wife) to other family members; a disgrace that must be covered up in domestic life; and husband's mistreatment of wife or children. This distortion of meaning is caused by cultural factors, religiosity, and social norms that place the household as a private space that should not be intervened by the state. As a result, many domestic violence cases go unreported or unprocessed, contributing to the delegitimization of state law in dealing with domestic violence cases. These findings suggest an urgent need to strengthen public understanding of domestic violence as a criminal offense and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement in order to provide better protection for victims.