Peer-reviewed article
Safeguarding Young Lives: The Critical Role of Government in Addressing Sexual Violence Against Children in Indonesia
Maria Gabriela Samuel, Maureen Keisha Yolanda, Ariawan Gunadi ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines sexual violence against children in Indonesia, noting that over 11,000 cases were reported in 2022 despite various government policies and regulations. The main barriers to effective protection include weak law enforcement, poor coordination between institutions, and cultural obstacles. The research emphasizes that reducing child sexual abuse requires stronger collaboration between government, NGOs, the private sector, and society, along with improved awareness of children's rights and better capacity-building for law enforcement.
Key points
- Over 11,000 cases of sexual violence against children were reported in Indonesia in 2022
- Weak law enforcement, lack of inter-institutional coordination, and cultural barriers are the main contributing factors to high rates of child sexual abuse
- Significant gap exists between policy formulation and practical implementation of child protection laws
- Regional Technical Service Units for Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) have been established but face obstacles in implementation
- Effective prevention requires collaboration among government, NGOs, private sector, and society with strengthened awareness of children's rights
Limitations
This study describes the problem and policy landscape but does not evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions through rigorous comparison. It does not provide detailed data on the causes or characteristics of sexual violence cases reported.
Abstract
Sexual violence against children is an urgent issue that has become a global concern, including in Indonesia. Although the Indonesian government has issued various policies and regulations to address this issue, implementing the policies and regulations still faces significant obstacles. These include the establishment of a Regional Technical Service Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA), training programs for relevant institutions, and educational campaigns for the prevention of sexual violence against children. However, the prevalence of sexual violence against children remains alarmingly high, with over 11,000 cases reported in 2022. The main factors contributing to the high rate of child sexual abuse are weak law enforcement, lack of coordination between institutions, and cultural barriers that hinder understanding and education about child protection. Additionally, resistance to implementing the Child Protection Law highlights the gap between policy formulation and practical law enforcement. In order to minimize the incidence of sexual violence against children, this study emphasizes the necessity of greater collaboration among the society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and the government. The research further highlights the need to raise awareness of the significance of children's rights and sexual violence prevention. Key recommendations include strengthening the implementation of the policies and regulations, improving law enforcement, and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement institutions in order for child protection policies to be implemented more effectively and efficiently.