Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed relevant ministries /institutions to carry out massive reforms while handling cases of violence against children.

"Carry out massive reforms in the management of cases of violence against children so that they can be done faster, in a more integrated manner and more comprehensively," Jokowi said during a limited meeting on handling cases of violence against children at the President's Office, Jakarta, Thursday.

The president said that rehabilitation and social reintegration services for victims must be improved, as well as one-stop service facilities for community complaints, assistance, and health services relating to cases of violence against children.

In addition, the president said that the complaints and reporting system must be improved so that victims, families and communities know how they should report cases of violence against children.

"And the most important thing is to get a response as soon as possible," said the President.

The president also stressed the importance of a punishment which provides a deterrent effect in cases of violence against children, especially pedophilia.

"The law enforcement process that provides a deterrent effect, mainly related to cases of pedophilia and sexual violence against children, and also legal assistance services (for victims) are very important," he said.

He also said that efforts to prevent violence against children must be prioritized and must involve families, schools and the surrounding communities.

According to data from the women and child protection online information system, the number of reported cases of violence against children increased significantly from 1,975 cases in 2015 to 6,820 cases in 2016.

The Indonesian government earlier renewed its commitment to continue to halt all forms of violence against children during an international conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 14 and 15, 2019.

The Indonesian government expressed the commitment at the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children Conference, which was hosted by the Swedish government.

Under the theme "End Violence Solutions Summit," the talk was jointly organized with other partners, including the Global We Protect Alliance.

The conference, which was opened by the Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Loven, and Queen Silvia of Sweden, was aimed at discussing updates and initiatives on children's rights, as well as effective strategies to halt violence against young people.

The conference reported that violence against children has affected more than one million people worldwide.

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Translator: Bayu P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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