Jakarta – The police have named a 44-year-old man who owns a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Banyumas, Central Java, a suspect for sexually abusing an 11-year-old student.
According to the police, the perpetrator admitted he had molested the child victim several times.
"In total, he has committed sexual abuse 12 times, three times from August to September," Banyumas Police Criminal Investigation Unit chief Adj. Comr. Berry said on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com.
Berry said the case came to light after the victim's parents reported the suspect to the police.
"The report came from the victim's parents, residents of Lumbir district. We detained the suspect on Wednesday and collected evidence," he said.
The suspect is charged with violating Article 82 of the 2014 law on child protection that prohibits sexual violence against children, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment. (aly)