Garut Regency Government Provides Legal Assistance For Children Who Are Victims Of Forced Violence

The police showed evidence of immoral crimes and suspects during a press conference at the Garut Police Headquarters, West Java, Thursday (9/2/2023). (PHOTO ANTARA)

GARUT - The Garut Regency Government, West Java has prepared a team to provide legal assistance and trauma recovery for children who are victims of forced violence by their stepfathers. "We will provide assistance, it is our obligation, whoever the victim is, we are obliged to provide assistance," said Secretary of the Garut Regency Population Control, Family Planning, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (DPKBPPPA), Rahmat Wibawa when contacted in Garut, Antara, Friday, February 22. The local government has received information that there is a case of a underage woman who has been a victim of immoral acts by her stepfather many times until she became pregnant and gave birth. The government, he said, would try to provide maximum service related to the health condition and also the child's psyche, including in legal assistance ranging from the police to the trial process. "In this case the victim was raped by a stepfather, it is feared that there will be pressure from the community and family, because there must be security for safety and ease of investigation," he said. He conveyed that his party would also cooperate with the Garut Social Service to help ease the burden on the victim's life. In addition, he continued, it is also certain that the victim will still get his educational rights by not being expelled from school, but being given leave for one year. "Schools are not allowed to issue, unless there is discomfort with victims at the school, schools can be moved," he said. The Garut Resort Police managed to uncover the case of immoral act of a father with the initials AAS (45) against his stepdaughter, a junior high school student, and gave birth in Garut Regency. Garut Police Chief AKBP Rio Wahyu Anggoro said the case was revealed after the victim gave birth, then reported by her family, until it was discovered that the perpetrator had impregnated the victim. The suspect, said the Police Chief, committed the act 15 times since March 2022, and now the suspect is languishing in the Garut Police Detention Center for further legal examination. As a result of his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 76 D in conjunction with Article 81 and/or Article 76 E, in conjunction with Article 82 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection with a maximum threat of 15 years in prison and an additional 1/3 in prison because there were children who were victims.