"Cases of violence against children correlate with parents, families, schools, and the society. After identifying those key institutions, we can start our effort by instilling comprehension about violence against women and children to allow them to prevent their children from interacting with potential violence perpetrators and detect violence against children sooner," a deputy at the ministry's child protection department, Nahar, said, according to a press statement issued by the ministry in Jakarta on Friday.
He reiterated the importance of motivating women and children who have suffered violence to ask for help from others and report their ordeal to the authorities.
Women and children must also be informed about the available emergency and support services that they can avail of, if needed, the deputy added.
Nahar also highlighted the results of a national survey on the daily experiences of youth and children conducted this year, which indicated a declining trend in violence against children.
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"In 2018, the survey revealed that up to six out of 10 children had suffered some form of violence, but in 2021, the numbers have declined. The current survey revealed that, for instance, only 4 out of 10 girls had suffered violence, while for the boys, the rate was 3 out of 10," he informed.
He said that the ministry will continue to study the survey's results, as it is convinced that regulations and prevention measures have contributed to the decline in cases of violence against children.
However, though it has indicated a decline in violence against children, the survey may have only recorded the basic situation, and individual cases in the regions could have been disregarded, he noted.
To further suppress violence against children, the ministry will continue to encourage regional authorities to develop child-friendly cities and districts and ensure the fulfillment of children's rights, he added.
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Translator: Anita Permata D, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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