A total of 3,027 submissions comprising requests and consultations came from 34 provinces and 256 districts or cities.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Victims and Witness Protection Agency (LPSK) acknowledged having received the highest number of requests and consultations in 2021, a record high since the agency's establishment in 2008, LPSK Head Hasto Atmojo Suroyo stated.
"A total of 3,027 submissions comprising requests and consultations came from 34 provinces and 256 districts or cities," he noted during a Meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III here on Monday.
Entering 2021, or the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, did not correlate with the decline in the number of crimes, he highlighted.
In fact, an upward trend was observed in several types of criminal acts, specifically sexual violence against children, he stated.
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In addition to a surge in the number of crimes, requests were affected by the deadline for the agency to fulfill the rights over compensation to past victims of terrorism, he remarked.
This compensation is mandated by Law No. 5 of 2018 on eradicating acts of terrorism. The law stipulates that not only Indonesian victims but also foreigners staying overseas have the right to receive their compensation.
This includes foreigners from Singapore, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 2021, the institution identified 357 past victims of terrorism and had offered compensation worth Rp59,220,000,000 to 355 victims.
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"The process to offer compensation to the two other victims will be completed at the start of this year," Suroyo stated.
The rights of a total of 2,470 victims and witnesses were fulfilled in 2021 under 4,115 protection programs spread across 31 provinces and 199 districts or cities.
These programs comprise physical protection, medical aid, psychological rehabilitation, victim compensation in accordance with the court's decision, and other rights in accordance with the law.
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Translator: M Zulfikar, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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