Jakarta (ANTARA) - Violence against children, particularly at the hands of people close to them, must be stopped because it negatively impacts their growth and development, the National Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has said.

"Violence against children has widespread and lasting impacts on the child's development, especially if it is carried out by those closest to them," the Chairperson of KPAI, Ai Maryati Solihah, said in response to a domestic violence case where a father, identified as RIS, allegedly abused his biological child in his apartment in South Jakarta.

Her statement was received here on Saturday.

The victim's mother reported the case to the commission on January 3, 2022.

Solihah said that currently, the commission is coordinating with the police and the Integrated Service Center for Women and Children’s Empowerment (P2TP2A) to follow up on the case.

"In order to improve (case handling) for the best interests of the child," she said.

Children who are victims of violence must receive legal assistance, psychological assistance, and be granted the right to protect their identity, she added.

​​​​​​​They must also enjoy other rights based on Articles 2 and 90 of Law Number 11 of 2012 on the Child Criminal Justice System and Article 64 Paragraph 3 of Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, such as the right to a fair and proportional legal process, which takes into account the child's condition, the right to obtain information on case updates, as well as the right to sustainable and comprehensive medical and social rehabilitation.

Some time ago, a video showing domestic violence perpetrated by a father on his child was circulated on social media.

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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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