332 Children Trapped In Riot Cases During August Demonstration, Bareskrim: The Majority Only Join In

Screenshot - Wakabareskrim Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin/ANTARA/HO-YouTube Polri TV

JAKARTA - The National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) recorded that 332 children were involved in rioting cases during a demonstration that took place at the end of August 2025 in various parts of Indonesia.

"The Directorate of PPA and PPO Crimes, Bareskrim Polri, as of November 3, noted that 332 children were involved in rioting cases at 11 regional police stations throughout Indonesia," said Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin in the discussion 'Inter-Agency Synergy for the Protection of Children's Rights that Face the Law', Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, November 4.

Nunung explained, of this total, the East Java Regional Police recorded the highest number with 144 children, followed by the Central Java Regional Police 77 children, Polda Metro Jaya 36 children, Polda West Java 34 children, and the rest scattered in the DIY Regional Police, West Nusa Tenggara, Lampung, West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Bali, and South Sumatra.

Of the 332 children, as many as 160 have undergone diversion, 37 are handled with a restorative justice approach, 28 children are in the first stage of the transfer of files, 73 children in phase two, and 34 of their files have been declared complete (P-21).

More than 90 percent of the children involved are students, ranging from junior high to high school/vocational school levels, some even still follow the package pursuit program.

"Most of them were dragged not because of criminal intent, but because they participated, were mobilized, or did not understand the legal consequences of their actions," said Nunung.

He hopes that FGD activities will be a momentum to build a national roadmap for handling children in conflict with the law. In principle, law enforcement must continue to protect children's rights without neglecting the human side.

In addition to discussing handling strategies, FGD is also expected to produce concrete action plans to be implemented throughout Indonesia, including prevention, education, digital literacy strategies, as well as strengthening the role of families and schools so that children are not easily provoked into legal risk actions.

Nunung added that the National Police continues to strengthen the capacity of investigators, build child-friendly spaces throughout the region, and increase cooperation with various relevant ministries and institutions to ensure legal assistance for children runs according to the provisions.