Taekwondo Trainer For Child Abuse In Malang Arrested By Police

MALANG - The Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) Team of the Malang Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit arrested MR (25) perpetrator of child molestation.

Malang Police Chief, AKBP Ferli Hidayat, said the perpetrator of MR has been named a suspect in a case of sexual abuse against a minor with the victim's initials ES.

"According to the perpetrator's statement, he carried out his actions from 2016 to 2021", Ferli said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 16.

Ferli explained that the victim with the initials ES is currently 20 years old. The suspect has been sexually harassing her since 2016 and it is estimated that at that time the victim was 14 years old and categorized as a minor.

According to him, the results of the investigation conducted by the PPA Malang Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit, the perpetrator, and the victim were previously lovers who both practiced taekwondo martial arts in Gondanglegi District, Malang Regency.

"MR is the coach, while the victim is the student", he said.

He said, apart from sexually harassing the victim, the perpetrator also invited the victim to have sex and promised to marry her. However, the victim's request was refused.

In addition, the perpetrator also established good communication with the victim's parents, so that the victim's family considered MR as a brother. Victims who received sexual harassment had a chance to complain to one of the top taekwondo club bosses.

In addition to victims of ES, based on information received by the Malang Police, the perpetrators also frequently attempted to harass the victims' colleagues. MR was suspended by the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Malang Regency.

"The perpetrator was suspended by the chairman of KONI to train, but until now he is still training taekwondo", he added.

Currently, the PPA Malang Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit has conducted an examination of the crime scene (TKP) including examining several witnesses. In addition, the PPA Unit also accompanies the victim to perform a Visum ET Repertum (VER).

"The suspect is currently in custody. We are also completing the filing and coordinating with the Public Prosecutor", he said.

For his actions, the perpetrator was charged with Article 81 Jo 76D Sub-article 82 Jo Article 76E of Law No. 35 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No. 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.