Agus Maryono, Cilacap – A recent survey conducted in Cilacap, Central Java, shows that children suffer most from domestic violence triggered by economic hardship in the family.

The survey also revealed that the number of cases of abuse reached 62 during the period between January and November this year. "Based on available data, victims of abuse are dominated by children," nongovernmental organization Citra advocate Nolly Sudrajat said.

Citra focuses on cases of violence perpetrated against women and children. The figure signified a 100 percent increase from the previous year, and was attributed to economic hardship and low education levels, Nolly said.

"The difficulty of earning a living relying on a low education level has apparently made fathers prone to becoming angry and hostile toward their wives and children," Nolly said. "Many cases of domestic violence are family neglect."

The survey showed that 31 of the 62 recorded cases of violence involved child abuse, with some of the victims being below the age of 10.

"Some of them are only three-and-a-half years old and others between the ages of five and 13," Nolly said, adding that the actual statistics could be higher than the findings because many cases go unreported. "The number of cases of abuse in Cilacap always rises year to year," he said.

Citra found that 185 cases of violence were reported between 2005 and 2009, with the total number of children victimized reaching 221. "Based on the data, we recommend the local administration improve the non-formal education standard through study groups and the training center. This is a way to provide education for uneducated people," said Nolly.

Data from the social affairs agency shows that in 2008 as many as 38 percent of Cilacap's population of 1.75 million lived below poverty line, and the percentage has since increased significantly.

The data also shows that in 2009 the poverty figure stood at 861,385 of 1,752,506 people in Cilacap, or around 50 percent. They live in 284 villages in 24 districts in Cilacap.

Cilacap Vice Regent Tatto S. Pamuji blamed the increasing poverty rate on high population growth and limited job opportunities.

"We are currently concentrating on infrastructure development following the wave of corruption plaguing Cilacap. To alleviate poverty we have carried out rural allocation funds and the Mandiri Community Empowerment National Program [PNPM]," Tatto told The Jakarta Post.