Jakarta – An additional sanction for child sex offenders, in the form of castration, has received support from the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise.

"The punishment [for child sex offenders] shouldn't only be by paying [compensation] or through an amicable settlement, since many issues that were resolved amicably didn't cause a deterrent effect on the offenders," said Yohana on Tuesday as quoted by setkab.go.id.

According to Yohana, the ministry has coordinated with the attorney general regarding the matter. It has also conducted research in several detention centers (Lapas) to discover the main reason behind the offenses.

"It will largely determined how we can conduct counseling for the public and how to decrease the amount of sexual violence against children, since many incidents actually involved immediate family," said Yohana.

She said that she was hopeful President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo would soon issue a presidential instruction (Inpres) on child protection. The draft is currently being prepared by the Social Ministry.

"If the Inpres is available, we will [be able to] create a program to protect Indonesian children," said Yohana. (kes)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/10/21/minister-supports-castration-child-sex-offenders.html