Deputy Chairperson Of The MPR: Overcoming Cases Of Sexual Violence Children Need Systematic Steps

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Lestari Moerdijat. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Lestari Moerdijat is of the view that real, immediate, and systematic steps are needed by all parties in overcoming the issue of an increasing trend of cases of child sexual violence.

"Cases of child sexual violence require immediate and systematic steps that must be supported by all parties so that the root of the problem that triggers an increase in the number of cases can be immediately resolved," Lestari said as quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 29.

He hopes that stakeholders at the central and regional levels can increase collaboration in reducing the number of cases of sexual violence against children.

He reminded all parties to pay attention to the problem of a significant increase in cases of child sexual violence in recent times in order to ensure the development of a better generation of the nation's future.

"The significant increase in cases of sexual violence against children must be the concern of all parties to ensure better growth and development for future generations in the process of building healthy and resilient children in the future," said Lestari.

As stated in the data records of the Online Information System and Children of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Simphony of the Ministry of PPPA), the number of cases of violence against children in 2022 reached 16,106 cases.

This number has increased when compared to 2019 as many as 6,454 cases, in 2020 there were 6,980 cases, and in 2021 there were 8,703 cases.

Of these cases, the most common types of violence were sexual violence of 9,588 children who were victims in 2022.

The increase in the number of reported cases was triggered by the increasing openness and courage of the public to report cases of sexual violence and violence against children.

To overcome this problem, Lestari supports the government to immediately implement a curriculum on reproductive health, considering that currently reproductive health education is being handed over to each school.

He encouraged massive socialization efforts from related parties regarding various efforts to prevent sexual violence and education from an early age to the wider community.

He views that the application of a number of rules mandated by Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS Law) must be immediately realized by the existence of a number of supporting regulations.

Thus, he added, the mechanism for preventing acts of sexual violence mandated by the TPKS Law can function optimally.