Government Confirms To Protect Children Victims Of COVID-19 Through PP 78/2021

Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate. (Photo: Aditya Pradana Putra/Antara)

JAKARTA - The government confirms the presence of the state to protect children, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the issuance of Government Regulation (PP) No. 78/2021. The protection of children during the COVID-19 pandemic is not only realized through health protection, but also efforts to create and maintain a conducive environment for their growth and development. children's lives. Through PP No. 78/2021 the President provides direction for all parties to ensure that there are extra steps for government protection for children, especially from situations and conditions that threaten their growth and development, "said the Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny G. Plate, reported by Antara, Monday. In this regulation, a child is defined as a person under the age of 18 years, including those who are still in the womb. The Government Regulation (PP) on Special Protection for Children was signed by President Jokowi on August 10, 2021 and published on the basis of two needs, namely empirical sociological needs and juridical needs. From a social perspective empirically, there are certain situations and conditions that endanger the lives of children and themselves, where the state needs to be present to guarantee their future.

This includes children in emergency situations, children in conflict with the law, children who are exploited both sexually and economically, children who are victims of trafficking, and other special conditions. Meanwhile, emergency situations where children need special protection, for example such as Article 1 paragraph 2 PP 78 of 2021, namely when children need security guarantees against threats that endanger themselves and their lives in their growth and development. There are at least 20 categories of children who need special protection, including child victims of sexual exploitation, child victims of terrorism networks, child victims physical violence, child victims of trafficking, and children affected by disasters, including non-natural disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The form of Special Protection for Children provided is rapid treatment including treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial assistance, providing social assistance for children from underprivileged families, and protection and assistance in every judicial process. As for the p From a juridical perspective, this PP is a mandate from Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, which mandates further regulation on special protection for children through the establishment of a Government Regulation (PP). special protection for children, considering that this protection issue cannot be solved separately. The issuance of the PP also clarifies the duties and authorities of the central government, regional governments, and institutions in ensuring the comprehensive protection of children. protection. People who have information regarding the whereabouts of orphans who have been abandoned or separated from their parents due to COVID-19 can also report to local officials or social services," said the Minister of Communication and Information. "These children are the responsibility of the state. In essence, we must together prevent children from becoming victims in emergency situations, because they are our future,” said Johnny.