Running the Berlin Marathon for Justice

Hi, I'm Daniel Chrisendo, an Indonesian living in Europe. I’m running the 2025 Berlin Marathon to raise funds for women and children who are survivors of gender-based violence in Indonesia. I support them through LBH-APIK, a legal aid group based in 18 locations in Indonesia, which provides legal services and assistance to the survivors.

The National Commission on Violence against Women reported almost 450,000 cases of violence against women in 2024, from domestic abuse and sexual violence to online gender-based violence. However, many survivors face barriers in accessing justice. In Indonesia, the perspective of law enforcement officers sometimes remains patriarchal. Patterns such as doubting the victims’ story and asking the victims to show evidence are common. The legal process that the victims undergo is also very lengthy, tiring, and often emotionally taxing. Limited access in an island country makes it even more difficult for many victims to report the abuse due to transportation and internet barriers, as well as a lack of safe complaint channels. In the recovery process, the obstacles include limited and expensive access to services, a lack of safe houses and recovery facilities, community stigma that blames victims, and victims' economic dependence on the perpetrators.

LBH APIK´s team of lawyers, counsellors, and activists offers free legal assistance to women and children in need, counselling and safe spaces for trauma recovery, legal education, and advocacy to change unjust laws and protect survivors, as well as training for law enforcement and community leaders to build a more just response to violence. LBH APIK has been working for about 30 years to make that change. However, LBH Apik lacks financial support and does not receive significant funds from the state or donors. Handling cases requires high costs, especially up to the trial stage (transportation, accommodation, psychological assistance, and urgent needs of victims). It is not uncommon for lawyers, staff, and paralegals to have to draw on their own funds or raise funds independently (for example, by selling snacks, t-shirts, and other items) to ensure that victims continue to receive assistance.

By donating, you’ll help LBH APIK represent survivors in court, provide psychological support to those healing from trauma, raise awareness to prevent gender-based violence, and push for policy change to protect vulnerable groups. All the money that I raise will go to LBH APIK and the victims.

I’m running 42.195 km, and every kilometre is a step toward justice. Will you support me?

Thank you so much for standing with survivors and believing in a more just Indonesia.

Find out more about LBH APIK (in Indonesian): https://lbhapik.or.id/