Child Violence In Lebak Banten In Emergency Condition, Experiences Significant Increase

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BANTEN - Sexual violence against children and women in Lebak Regency, Banten Province has increased. Where from October 2021 data, there were 45 cases to 70 cases until November 30 this year.

"Of the 70 cases of which victims of sexual violence were experienced by children under the age of five (toddlers)," said Head of the Department of Population Control, Family Planning, Women's Empowerment, and Child Protection (DP2KBP3A) Lebak Regency Dedi Lukman Indepur in Lebak, Tuesday, 30 November.

Sexual violence is already an emergency, so it needs attention and empathy from various elements of society.

The people of Lebak Regency must supervise and protect children and women in order to avoid acts of sexual violence.

Currently, cases of sexual violence in Lebak Regency are likened to the "Ice Mountain" phenomenon, because many people do not report to the police.

Therefore, his party hopes that the public can report any sexual violence experienced by children and women.

"We continue to strive to prevent cases of sexual violence by optimizing socialization education to the public," he explained as quoted by Antara.

According to him, it is likely that there are quite a few cases of sexual violence in Lebak Regency, but only 70 cases have been reported.

Those victims also do not know their age, even among them are students, children are also toddlers.

Most of the perpetrators of sexual violence are those who are closest to them, such as step-parents, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, neighbors, ustadz and playmates.

To reduce violence against children and women, he said, his party disseminated education on preventing sexual violence through child-friendly programs in elementary school environments.

In addition, it also involves the Community-Based Integrated Child Care Institute (LPATBM).

"We hope that through this socialization we can prevent cases of sexual violence experienced by children," he said.

Dedi said that they were victims of child sexual abuse and were given mental rehabilitation and training so they wouldn't be traumatized.

The recovery therapy also involves psychologists so that their mental health returns to normal. In addition, children who are victims of sexual violence who are still of school age can continue their education so they don't drop out of school.

"We also collaborate with P2TP2A volunteers to handle child victims of sexual crimes," he said.

Head of the Integrated Service Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A) of Lebak Regency, Hj Ratu Mintarsih, said that the perpetrators of the sexual violence experienced by the child were the closest people to the victim.

They should be protecting children, but they are committing sexual crimes, he said

Most of them are motivated by the use of technology, namely the easy access to pornographic sites through the internet.

During this time, cases of sexual violence in the country have increased, even the victims are elementary, junior high and high school / vocational school children to toddlers.

The increase in sexual crimes certainly needs to be anticipated so that children are protected and do not become victims.

Currently, he said, it is so easy for children to get access to pornography through social media, be it Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, internet websites, television shows and others.

In addition, the influence of the surrounding environment also affects the formation of children's character.

"We ask that the perpetrators of child sexual crimes be severely punished so that they have a deterrent effect for the perpetrators," he said.