Parents are children's best friends. This positive attitude should be nurtured so that children feel protected and open toward their parentsTanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Riau Islands' Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning (P3AP2KB) Service has urged children who became victims of violence, to speak up and tell what had happened to them to their parents.
Head of Riau Islands' P3AP2KB Service Misni said here on Sunday that many children were afraid and ashamed to tell that they had became victims of violence.
They were afraid to be blamed and scolded by their parents, she continued.
Based on data of violence cases, many children were found out to be victims after their parents felt suspicious and pressured their children to tell them what had happened.
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Children should have told their parents at the first opportunity that they get in order to receive protection, and to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
"Parents are children's best friends. This positive attitude should be nurtured so that children feel protected and open toward their parents," Misni noted.
According to the data from the violence cases review, sexual violence cases were, on average, perpetrated by close acquaintances, she highlighted.
The number of sexual violence cases in Riau Islands reached 164 cases comprising nine cases in Bintan, 11 cases in Karimun, eight cases in Anambas Islands , 74 cases in Batam , 39 cases in Tanjungpinang,10 cases in Lingga , and 14 cases in Natuna .
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Of these 164 cases, 11 of them were perpetrated by women. Perpetrators on the age bracket of 0-17 years of age were 34 people, 18-24 years 44 people, 25-59 years 80 people, and 60 years and above seven people.
"Perpetrator on the age bracket of 25 to 59 years of age reached 80 people," she noted.
According to Misna, incorrect utilization of smartphones causes the rise of sexual violence cases toward women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our research result indicates that sexual violence cases tend to happen from smartphones. Communication between the perpetrators and the victims occurred through a number of social media," she said.
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Translator: Nikolas Panama, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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