This school has had good credibility so far, but, in fact, it is rotten inside."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias National Commission for the Protection of Children (Komnas PA) had urged the authorities to impose heavier punishment against child abusers, particularly those involved in sexual assault.

"Komnas PA will recommend to the Parliaments Commission III to amend the Law No. 23/2002 on Child Protection to impose heavier punishment against the perpetrators," Arist Merdeka Sirait, the Komnas PA chairman, said here on Thursday.

He noted that the existing law imposing a sentence of 15 years in jail was too lenient.

The sentence against those committing child sexual violence should be 20 years in jail and a maximum of life sentence.

Heavier punishment should be given to parents, teachers and those working in schools if they commit sexual abuse, he said.

Regarding the child sexual assault case at the Jakarta International School (JIS), he said the school management had been negligent and therefore it should be sanctioned.

"The school had failed to protect its student. The schools negligence had caused a kindergarten student to suffer from sexual violence. The school should be accountable in line with the Law on Child Protections Article 154," he added.

The JIS had not been transparent so far about the case because it wanted to protect its credibility, according to him. He said the school should have been more transparent and help in the investigation process.

"This school has had good credibility so far, but, in fact, it is rotten inside. This case indicates that they did not effectively test teachers and other employees working inside the school before recruiting them," he said.

A six-year-old kindergarten student was reported to have contracted herpes following a sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by out-sourced cleaners at JIS bathroom.

Two cleaners had been named as suspects and detained at the Jakarta Police headquarters since Monday. They were charged with violating Law No. 23/2002 on child protection with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
(T.D018/Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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