Vento Saudale, Depok – A report released by the Depok Police shows an alarming increase in cases of violence involving children over the last few years, a large proportion of which were categorized as sexual violence, an officer said.
The report recorded up to 63 cases of violence involving children comprising 18 in 2011, 14 in 2012 and 21 in 2013. Meanwhile, as of March this year, 10 cases have been recorded and handled by the Depok Police's unit for the protection of women and children.
Depok Police chief Sr. Comr. Achmad Kartiko said the 63 cases involved a total of 73 children aged between 13 and 17 years, 70 percent of whom were students.
"Twenty-eight of the 64 are cases of sexual harassment and sexual engagement with minors," Achmad told the Jakarta Globe on Sunday, adding that the cases occurred in nearly all 11 sub-districts of the city.
Achmad said police officers have been battling the issue by holding educational seminars in the area. "Every Monday, we have asked district police offices to participate in a flag ceremony and educate them about brawls and drugs," he said.
Achmad also explained that the Depok city administration actively participated in monitoring the issue and educating children.
"To make [Depok] a child-friendly city, the police cannot work on their own. The regional government's role is bigger in controlling and offering guidance through officials in the districts and schools," Achmad said.
According to Arist Merdeka Sirait of the National Commission for Child Protection, (Komnas PA) the high number of criminal activities involving children in Depok should be considered alarming.
He accused the city administration of not being serious enough in turning Depok into a child-friendly city. "If they cannot met the requirements [of a child-friendly city], then just scrap that label," Arist said, adding that the commission has also seen an increase in the number of reports and that most of these cases came from the Greater Jakarta area.
The past month has also seen a number of cases involving minors both as victims and perpetrators of violence in other regions making headlines.
In Depok, police are looking into the murder of Anita Ambarwati, 16, whose body was found in a plantation at the Kalimulya ward of the Cilodong sub-district on Thursday. The teenager was reportedly murdered by four adults.
Earlier this month, police also found the body of 14-year-old Johanna Febri in Pamulang, Tangerang, who was allegedly murdered by Alfiansyah, 17, a Facebook acquaintance who reportedly wanted to steal her motorcycle.
In Tangerang, Banten, an owner of an orphanage was arrested over charges of child neglect, assault and rape after officials from the child protection commission removed 26 children from the home, based on reports by an attorney with the Mawar Sharon Legal Aid Foundation.
Medical tests reportedly showed evidence that Rev. Chemy Watulingas, owner of the institution, had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl who lived at the orphanage. The Pentecostal minister is alleged to have raped her at least four times.
Additionally, a 3-month-old baby named Caroline died after suffering from untreated high fever while she was in the facility's care.
"This case [Caroline's death] is a momentum for the public to understand that there are many children hiding behind the walls of orphanages that are difficult to reach out to. A momentum that should help the public realize the need to offer them protection," Arist said in a separate occasion on Saturday. "Violence against children is a national emergency."
Addressing prevalent cases of violence by children, sociologist Daisy Indira Yasmine said teenagers today are faced with much higher stress and are pressured to compete in educational institutions as well as in their social environment. She said this makes them susceptible to depression.
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/indonesian-police-see-rise-violence-children/