"The top three case categories that BPHN handles through the free legal assistance program comprise theft, drug abuse, and other cases related to bullying," BPHN head Widodo Ekatjahjana informed.
Of the 2,302 cases involving child perpetrators, at least 838 cases or 36 percent involved theft, while 341 cases or 15 percent involved drug abuse.
Further, 232 cases pertained to harassment, 153 cases to crimes involving sharp objects or explosive materials, 173 cases involved obscenity, 48 cases involved murder, and 26 cases rape.
Finally, 491 cases involved pornography, fraud, or the issuance of violent threats, among others.
"We cannot move in the downstream and must optimize prevention by providing direct education to children at schools," Ekatjahjana said.
BPHN has the authority to directly provide legal education and guidance to school students, he added.
This allows school students to receive knowledge concerning actions that can violate the law and regulations. BPHN also provides guidance related to children's responsibility if they are involved in a case as perpetrators.
The legal guidance at schools program is called the "BPHN Parenting" program, which emerged as the ministry's response to criminal cases involving children and students.
Ekatjahjana said he expects the program to be held simultaneously in schools and in an integrated manner from March 20, 2023, to April 14. He will directly open the program's kick-off event.
"Five hundred twenty-seven law disseminators functional officials, 6,208 advocates, and 5,744 paralegals will collaborate in the BPHN Parenting program," he informed.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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