We also cooperate with the Religion Ministry as well as Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry to conduct a quick study regarding intolerance in Indonesian education units.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Terrorist groups have begun shifting their target for recruitment to children, Assistant Deputy of Protection for Children in Particular Conditions at the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Ministry, Elvi Hendrani, stated.

“Terrorist groups target children since they are naive, innocent, and emotionally unstable as well as without adequate experience and knowledge. Recruiting children also aims to avoid suspicion from security forces," Hendrani noted in a statement here on Wednesday.

The assistant deputy drew attention to a change in the terrorist recruitment pattern, with initially, the groups only having targeted adults, though currently, they have started zeroing in on children.

"It is a social problem faced by many countries, including Indonesia. Several children have fallen victims to various acts of terrorism, while others are made members of the criminal groups,” she stated.

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Hendrani stated that terrorism was categorized as an extraordinary crime since it had huge physical and psychological impacts and caused trauma to people who experience it, especially children.

“Hence, radicalism and terrorism are threats to children’s religion and social life, character and morale development, as well as nationalism awareness," she stressed.

Thus, the PPPA Ministry has continued to encourage children, who become the victims of radicalization and terrorism, to receive education, protection, care, and recreation.

Furthermore, the ministry expects the local government and law enforcement officers to assist in ensuring child protection.

In addition, the ministry has prepared various related policies in collaboration with other ministries and agencies, formed coordination forums, as well as offered psychosocial support along with the Indonesian Police's anti-terror squad (Densus 88).

“We also cooperate with the Religion Ministry as well as Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry to conduct a quick study regarding intolerance in Indonesian education units," Hendrani remarked.

Earlier, Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar had drawn attention to a significant increase in online radicalization.

Thus, members of the younger generation that often use various forms of social media should stay vigilant, he stated.
Related news: Indonesia's terror risk index declines; drops lower than RPJMN target

Translator: Anita Dewi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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