Public Reasons Are Often Surprised By Sexual Crimes In Social Institutions

Yandi Supriyadi is wanted by the police in the child molestation case at the Tangerang orphanage. (Special)

JAKARTA The case of sexual crimes that occurred in social institutions has returned to concern. Dozens of students are suspected of being victims of sexual abuse at the Darussalam An'Nur Orphanage, Tangerang City.

Dean Herdesviana and Ardini revealed the case of sexual abuse that occurred at the orphanage he was funding. At first they were contacted by one person who claimed to be a victim of sexual harassment.

Upon this complaint, the donors then reported it to the Tangerang City Metro Police. After an investigation was carried out, the police named three suspects, namely Abi Sudirman (45) as chairman of the foundation, Yusuf Bachtiar (30) and Yandi Supriyadi (28) as caregivers. Two of the leading names have been arrested, while Yandi is still being sought by the police.

Sudirman and Yusuf Bahtiar, suspects in child molestation at the Darussalam An'Nur Orphanage, Pinang Tangerang. (Special)

The suspects were charged with Article 76E in conjunction with Article 82 of Law Number 17 of 2016 concerning Stipulation of Perppu Number 1 of 2016 concerning the Second Amendment to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection.

"The threat of a minimum sentence of 5 years, a maximum of 15 years or a maximum fine of Rp. 5 billion," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Ade Ary Syam Indradi.

Cases of sexual violence that occur in social institutions and boarding educational institutions seem to have become commonplace in Indonesia, because they often occur. Prior to this, cases of sexual violence also occurred in several other orphanages.

In October 2022, for example, the owner of an orphanage in West Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java with the initials UP (51) molested his own 17-year-old foster child. A year later, in May to be exact, the orphanage administrator in Kuningan Regency, West Java with the initials EEF (61) was arrested in a similar case. The victim is a minor.

Then in May 2024, a minor again became a victim of sexual abuse at the orphanage with the initials BS (53) in Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung. BS has even committed this depraved act repeatedly since 2022.

Chairman of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) Ai Maryati Solihah said the high number of sexual violence and sexual abuse against children in social institutions or boarding educational institutions was due to public expectations of the institution being large.

The community hopes that the institution should guarantee child protection and security. So when there was a case of sexual violence in social institutions, many people were surprised, as happened at the Darussalam An'Nur Orphanage, Tangerang City.

"There is community empathy, then the approach is usually religious, there is a humanitarian approach, harmony. So we don't expect or it's unlikely that there will be such things in there," said Ai.

Likewise with dorm-based educational institutions where cases of sexual violence are also rife. According to Ai, many people hope that their children can become good children. Parents may not think that children who are entrusted to the boarding school will be treated badly.

"It's kind of an uninstitutional branding that's easy to manipulate all of us," he said.

Ai's statement regarding the rise of sexual crimes in social institutions and boarding education in accordance with Dean Herdesviana's confession. Donatur, who is also an old friend of the orphanage founder, Sudirman, admitted that he was surprised by what his friend had done. He and the other donors were deceived because Sudirman's appearance was so neat, sweet, religious.

"Local residents say he is kind, likes alms, shares everywhere. In front of me, his tongue is also frequent with remembrance," said Desvi.

Meanwhile, education observer Doni Koesoema said that the relationship between power or inequality of power is a factor that often background acts of sexual violence. Doni also explained that the relationship of power in orphanages is much greater than others, causing sexual violence to continue to repeat itself.

This is because the majority of children with educational backgrounds, orphans, and orphans are very dependent on the owner and caregiver. This condition makes children feel obliged and vulnerable to being victims of the perpetrator's trickery.

"This unequal position allows orphanages who do not have moral integrity to commit their evil intentions by deceiving children in orphanages," said Doni.

Reza Indragiri Amriel, a forensic psychologist, said sexual crimes against children could occur in any community, including in orphanages and in the boarding school education environment.

"The closed section and pattern of the relationship that was built were marked by religious teachers as the dominant party and santri as a sub-immissive party," Reza told VOI.

Regarding child predators that are often seen as 'good' by the community, according to Reza, the perpetrators are deliberately doing it as a form of grooming or a way to make children or targets deceived.

There are no certain characteristics, let alone the testimony that 'I am a potential predator'. On the contrary, if someone has malicious intentions and especially wants to target children, of course this person must look in such a way, act in such a way that he does not appear to be a frightening figure in the eyes of children, "Reza explained.

"The result is that you have to look attractive, friendly, cheerful, like to play, and so on. Plus psychological games such as lure, persuasion, friendly offers, offers to protect, and warmth," said Reza.