Indonesian cop allegedly molested kids, recorded abuse in case flagged by Australian police | USAEMALL.com

VICTIMS ARE IN “SAFE PROTECTION” 

The Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection told CNA it is aware of three alleged victims of Fajar, and said they are being cared for. 

“None of them have fled. They are in safe protection. Two of the victims are still being accompanied by their parents, so they do not need to stay at a safe house,” said Ciput Eka Purwianti, the ministry’s assistant deputy for child protection.

Social workers from Kupang and East Nusa Tenggara province also continue to provide psychological support to the victims. 

The ministry works with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, the police and other child protection agencies to coordinate efforts in the country.

It is committed to ensuring that the case is handled according to the law on sexual violence crimes in the country, which guarantees the protection of the victims’ rights throughout the process, from investigation to recovery and empowerment, said Ciput.

This includes the process of interviewing the victims, she said.

“Victims of sexual violence should only be interviewed once. If additional evidence is needed, investigators should use recorded interviews so that the child does not have to repeat their testimony multiple times,” Ciput added. 

The women empowerment ministry also strives to make the investigation process child-friendly by ensuring that investigators do not wear official uniforms that could potentially cause fear or intimidate the victims.

Indonesia’s 2024 National Survey on Children and Adolescents’ Life Experiences found that half of those aged 13 to 17 in the country have experienced some form of violence during their lives.

“While statistics on reported sexual assault cases have increased every year, this does not mean that violence has increased but increasing public awareness, which is a good sign,” Ciput added. 

“Sexual violence is still an emergency. Non-contact sexual violence has affected 4 per cent of girls and 4 per cent of boys; this figure does not even include contact sexual violence,” she said.