"Currently, the supporting team is continuing to provide assistance, especially to motivate (the victim) and reduce the psychological pressure on the victim," a social worker from the Antasena Children Social Rehabilitation Center Magelang, Central Java, Diamira, said in a written statement obtained here on Friday.
To reduce the trauma experienced by the victim, identified by her initials as HN, the supporting team is using a number of techniques such as play therapy, she informed.
During play therapy, the Sakti Peksos team and psychologists are using play to improve HN's socio-emotional skills, which are important for all individuals to develop, she said.
"Play therapy is expected to create a happy atmosphere and aims to help the victim adapt to the environment," she explained.
In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also providing motivational reinforcement to the victim's family, she said.
HN, who is 13 years old, has been reunited with her biological mother in an effort to foster a harmonious relationship.
"HN has met her biological mother. We wanted them to have a harmonious relationship to create a conducive environment for the victim," Diamira said.
HN is receiving full supervision and assistance from the Bima Sakti Child Protection and Social Services Unit (PPSPA) in Batu city, East Java, she added.
On November 18, 2021, the victim was reportedly sexually and physically abused by a group of friends and the video of the abuse went viral on social media. The incident allegedly happened when one suspect took the victim and indulged in sexual intercourse with her.
Later, the wife of the alleged perpetrator found out about the incident, said police. She allegedly brought some of her friends to interrogate the victim and was violent with her.
Police have questioned ten witnesses to the incident, who are all children. Of the ten children, seven have been named suspects in the case. The remaining three have been allowed to return to their parents.
Of the seven suspects, one allegedly perpetrated sexual intercourse while the other six allegedly indulged in violent behavior against the victim, said police. Six of the seven suspects were detained in the Malang city police's juvenile detention cell, while one suspect, aged under 14, was not detained.
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Translator: Vicki Febrianto, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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