"Protecting children and victims is a collective responsibility and duty. Therefore, all parties should strive to provide the best for the victim," Puspayoga stated at a press conference here on Friday.
The minister visited victim R, who was sexually violated by 11 people in Parigi Moutong District of the province, and is currently receiving care at Undata Regional General Hospital.
She noted that the victim has shown positive progress in her recovery.
She also met with various stakeholders, including the provincial authority, local police, and medical staff responsible for the victim's treatment at the hospital.
Puspayoga said that the coordination is aimed at finding the best measures to ensure the victim's physical recovery and expediting her psychological recovery.
The minister commended the regional authority for providing the best services for the victim's recovery, which will be covered by the National Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).
She reiterated that the ministry will continue to monitor the case investigation to ensure that justice is served for victim R and that the perpetrators receive severe sentences.
Puspayoga explained that the suspects could be sentenced according to Article 81 of Law No. 17 of 2016 on child protection, which allows for chemical castration of sexual violence suspects.
"A chemical castration sentence can be imposed on the suspects. The maximum sentence is available, so the local police chief will not hesitate to impose a deterrent against the suspects," she added.
In addition to ensuring the rights of the victim, the minister also emphasized that the children of the suspects should not be neglected, so as to prevent them from being stigmatized by their father's actions.
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Translator: Nur Amalia Amir, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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