Pribudiarta Nur Sitepu, the ministry's acting deputy for child protection, confirmed here on Friday that their current focus is to provide mental assistance, considering the emotional impact of the abuse.
He made the statement in response to the alleged bullying incident at a school that claimed the life of KB, 8, in Indragiri Hulu, Riau, some time ago.
Sitepu expressed hope that law enforcement would follow the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law (UU SPPA) in handling this case.
"We respect the law enforcement's authority. We still hope that legal proceedings go in accordance with Law Number 11 of 2012 about the Juvenile Criminal Justice System, prioritizing scientific evidence and considering social reports to determine actions taken," he elaborated.
When a child exhibits problematic behavior, there may be underlying factors, such as a lack of monitoring from parents, an absence of empathy, and no intervention from those around the child when such behavior occurs.
"Children with problematic behavior can also be viewed as victims -- Victims of parenting style, education, and social environments that fail to nurture the child's character and moral values," he remarked.
It is the responsibility of adults to create a safe and comfortable environment for children, he stated.
KB, an 8-year-old primary school student from Riau, died on Monday (May 26) while receiving hospital treatment, allegedly due to bullying at school. The parents stated that before passing away, KB complained of abdominal pain.
The bullying was allegedly perpetrated by KB's seniors. The parents subsequently reported the incident to the police. The police have followed up by conducting an autopsy, with the results released on June 4.
Related news: Addressing school bullying crucial for golden future: BRIN
Related news: KPAI urges early detection, rapid response to bullying
Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
