UI Researcher: Handling Cases Of Sexual Violence Against Children Has Not Sided With Victims

JAKARTA - The University of Indonesia (UI) Research Team assessed that although cases of sexual violence against children continue to increase, until now the handling has not taken sides with the victims.

The central and regional governments should prepare a rehabilitation mechanism so that the mental victims of sexual violence can be recovered.

"Often victims get labels that are unfair. They have become victims, get stigma too, and there are no rehabilitation efforts. This is pathetic," said Head of the Research Team for the Prevention of Sexual Violence at the Children of the University of Indonesia (UI) Emir Chairullah Ph.D in a press statement after conducting Research on Handling Sexual Violence to Children in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 6.

This research was initiated by researchers from the Department of International Relations Science and the Department of Social Welfare Sciences FISIP UI. In addition to the Emir, this research team consists of Dr. Annisah, Getar Hati, Nurul Isnaeni, Ph.D., Shinta Tris Irawati, M.Kesos, Nurma Ayu Wigati S. Subroto M.Kom, Dr. Lidwina Inge Nurtjahyo, Aisha Putri Safrianty, Hana Maulida, S.Kesos, and Aviva Lutfiana, M.Psi.

In addition, this research also involved the Indonesian Safe Brothers Foundation, an NGO engaged in efforts to prevent child sexual violence.

Emir said that in the research funded by the Directorate of High Impact UI Innovation and Research (DIRBT-UI), his party found that until now the handling of sexual violence against children was still struggling with how to punish the perpetrators.

"In fact, in this case of violence, the future of children is at stake," he said.

Meanwhile, Annisah, who is also a lecturer in Social Welfare Science UI, said that her research team saw that many areas, especially in the 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) area, did not yet have a safe house or shelter that aims to restore the victim's mentality.

Therefore, currently local governments need to prepare a safe house/residentials filled with professionals in handling victims of sexual violence.

"So if there is a case, the victim's parents know where to go. There are psychologists, counselors, and professional social workers who rehabilitate the victim mentally," he explained.

Annisah said, on the one hand, the families of the victims have a good goal to protect their children who are victims of sexual violence from stigma.

Often parents solve this problem of sexual violence through a family mechanism.

Moreover, he added, perpetrators of sexual violence against children often come from their closest relatives who should take care of the victims. For example, in his research, his party found that the perpetrators were grandfathers, uncles, fathers, teachers, school principals, and community leaders.

"They think that by paying the fine, the problem has been resolved. However, what is often forgotten, the trauma experienced by the victim if not overcome can be carried away throughout his life," he said.

So Priority

Meanwhile, the Head of the PKK Ende Mobilization Team, who is the wife of Ende Regent Cici Badeoda, emphasized that handling cases of sexual violence in favor of victims must be a priority.

"If it is not resolved, the impact will be everywhere, the physical health is also mentally from the victim and his family. That's why UPT PPA must be formed immediately," he said.

Therefore, he appreciated FISIP UI's efforts to research the prevention of sexual violence against children in their area.

"This is a positive effort from FISIP UI to reduce the dangers of sexual violence against children. How can we produce a Golden Generation in 2045 if our children's future has been damaged," he concluded.