Middle School Children In Makassar Doused With Hard Water And Allegedly Victims Of Trafficking In Persons, Police Admit Not Received Report

MAKASSAR - Panakukang Police, Makassar, South Sulawesi so far have not received any reports of suspected cases of human trafficking accompanied by the pouring of hard water on children, as has been reported in the media.

"There has been no report coming in. There is a victim who suffered burns due to electric shock. That's based on the results of the post-mortem," said Panakukang Police Chief Commissioner Andi Ali Surya when confirmed by reporters in Makassar, Antara, Sunday, January 9.

The case relates to allegations of violence against a girl with the initials RN, a 15-year-old junior high school student who was doused with hard water, in mid-December 2021 in Panakukang District. The victim was also reported to be a victim of trafficking outside the region.

Surya added that his party had not yet received an official report from the victim's family. However, if this case is reported, the Panakukang Police will collaborate with the Women's Service Unit, Child and Women Protection (PPA) of the Makassar Police.

"If they (the family) want to report human trafficking, the Sector Police will be ready to handle the case and collaborate with the investigation team of the PPA Polrestabes unit," he explained.

Previously, the Task Force for the Protection of Women and Children (PPA), the Makassar City Government, had moved quickly to follow up on cases of alleged human trafficking or human trafficking accompanied by violence and then pouring hard water on the victim.

"We suspect the victims of human trafficking (trafficking). After we investigated and asked the chronology of the incident to their families. From there, it was found that several children were collected from a number of areas, apart from Makassar City," said Head of Makassar PPA Service, Achi Solaeman.

Currently, the victim, RN, is being treated intensively at the Daya Regional General Hospital (RSUD), because she suffered burns all over her body after being doused with hard water by the perpetrator, who is currently being investigated by the police.

The case was revealed after PPA received a report from the resident shelter, and it was followed up immediately. It is suspected that this case is human trafficking, because the victim said he would be taken to Sidrap Regency, South Sulawesi, but it didn't work out because his family was thwarted.

For further treatment, he said, PPA will focus first on providing assistance in terms of health, because the condition of the victim suffered burns due to the strong water spray. In addition, efforts to improve psychological conditions are also being carried out.