Victims Of Sexual Violence For Pastorial Candidates In Alor Added

Illustration of sexual violence (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The number of victims of sexual violence perpetrated by a candidate for the GMIT Synode Council in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, increased from six people to 12 people, said the Alor Resort Police official.

"As of Saturday (September 10) yesterday, the number of victims increased to 12 people, after six more people gave statements to investigators," said Head of the Alor Police Criminal Investigation Unit Iptu Yames Jems. Mbau, quoted by Antara on Sunday.

According to him, the victim of sexual violence committed by a prospective priest with the initials SAS is between 13 and 19 years old.

The police have arrested SAS. The candidate priest has been named a suspect in a sexual violence case and has been detained.

Police are still investigating the case of sexual violence against the prospective priest, which was uncovered after the victim reported it to the police on September 1, 2022.

The chairman of the GMIT Sinode Council, Merry Kolimon, previously said that the church had imposed sanctions in the form of delaying the inauguration to become a virulent in the pastor's position to SAS.

The GMIT Synod Council has also sent a team of psychologists and assistants to help victims of sexual violence perpetrated by SAS.

Merry said that the GMIT Sinode Council respects the rights of victims and the victim's parents to take legal action and will oversee the legal process in handling cases of sexual violence.

Merry also said that the church would not hinder the legal process against SAS. "The GMIT Synergy Assembly hopes that all parties will participate in protecting victims from layered violence," he said.