"We need collective awareness about the dangers of sexual violence against children. Its impact is no less threatening then that of narcotics. After all, its targets are children under five," a legislator said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sexual violence against children in Indonesia has reached an alarming level and created an emergency situation that needs immediate handling and action, a legislator has said.

The Chairman of Commission VIII on Religion and Social Affairs at the House of Representatives (DPR) Saleh Pertaonan Daulay said on Thursday that regulations on sexual violence need to be revised soon.

"The government needs to heed and follow up public calls for revision of regulations on sexual violence against children," said Saleh through a short message dispatch here on Thursday.

Saleh expressed concerns that while people are still saddened with the gang rape of 14-year-old YY and her resulting death in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu Province, another rape case leading to murder has taken place again, involving a 2.5-year-old child in Cibungbulang, Bogor District, West Java.

Saleh urged the government to take the required steps immediately. Besides a revision in the regulations, the government is also expected to start building an alert national movement on sexual violence against children.

He said all elements in society need to be involved in the development of this movement. The strongest fortress that can prevent the occurrence of such cases involves the family and the surrounding society.

"We need collective awareness about the dangers of sexual violence against children. Its impact is no less threatening then that of narcotics. After all, its targets are children under five," he said.

In the meantime, Social Affairs Minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa confirmed on Sunday that 19-year-old F, who was raped by 19 men, is a victim of human trafficking committed by her own friends.

"The case in Manado is that of human trafficking. She had been recruited and trafficked by her friends, and later, she was sexually assaulted," the minister said on Sunday.

Khofifah had visited Gorontalo to gain first-hand information about the rape and human trafficking cases.

The minister also revealed that the rape had occurred long ago, and that the media had repeatedly reported the incident, but the response from law enforcers and the community had been poor.

F was drugged and raped by 15 men in North Sulawesi and later again by four men in Gorontalo in January. Two of the four men were allegedly police officers.

The minister remarked that a legal process was now underway, emphasizing that those involved in sexual crimes should be punished in accordance with the existing laws.

When F returned home in North Sulawesi after being raped, she hardly recognized her own mother and siblings, according to Rani, the girls mother. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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