Children In Batam Become Victims Of Sexual Violence By Stepfathers, Ministry Of Social Affairs Intervenes

Illustration of qual sex violence in women (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) provides assistance to minors, J, who were victims of rape by his stepfather in Batam, Riau Islands.

"We are also concerned about this incident. As directed by the Minister of Social Affairs, we will provide assistance," said Director of Social Rehabilitation for Ms. Eka Santi's son, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, March 24.

The Ministry of Social Affairs team together with the Batam City Social Service visited the victim's family on March 22, 2023.

Victim J currently lives with the family of his biological father. J is a victim of coercion by his stepfather A (39 years) until she is pregnant. The intercourse took place for 5 years from grade 3 of junior high school.

This case was revealed after J told the chronology of the incident to his cousin, RS (29 years old) who was the son of the uncle of the victim's biological mother, who then reported the incident to the police station in January 2023.

The perpetrator also tried to abuse victim Z's younger brother (16 years), but was able to fight back so he managed to survive. The arrival of the Ministry of Social Affairs Team was welcomed by the victim's family.

The Ministry of Social Affairs team also visited the Batu Ampar Police Office to find out the progress of the case. Information was obtained from investigators, namely Brigadier F Firnando and Bripka Rahmadi, that the current status of the case is in stage 2 and is just waiting for the trial schedule.

The perpetrator is threatened with the heaviest sentence of 20 years in prison and has now been transferred to a detention center. Meanwhile, from the medical examination, it was found that the victim was positive for HIV who was infected from the perpetrator.

The team then provided assistance by inviting the victim and his family to Budi Kemuliaan Batam Hospital to check the womb which is currently entering its eighth month. The baby's condition is in good health.

Then the psychiatrist's results stated that the victim's condition was currently depressed and needed regular follow-up examinations. The Ministry of Social Affairs is also working with a psychiatrist at the Batam Entrepreneurship Agency (BP) Hospital to provide assistance and reinforcement for victims so as not to experience trauma. In addition, access to psychological services for J has also been carried out by the Batam City Government (Pemkot).

"We have also come to the police to ensure that the perpetrators are given the appropriate punishment because they have damaged the future of their children," said Kanya.

He appreciated the family for daring to report and will continue to monitor the development of the victim until she gave birth around May 2023.

Not only that, the team also visited one of the High Schools (SMA) in Batam City, which became a victim's school to take diplomas that were still being held back due to arrears in education costs.

The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Abiseka Pekanbaru Center provides attention assistance in a decent living component consisting of fulfilling nutrition, basic necessities, personal hygiene equipment, and financing for school repayment, as well as assistance to hospitals for physical and mental health examinations of victims by professionals, with a total assistance of Rp. 6,534,210.