TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - No matter what the excuse, crime against children is unacceptable, let alone be ignored. And if that crime is sexual abuse, the degree of depravity has gone beyond limits. Moreover, that it happened inside a school, an institution entrusted with teaching and nurturing children, the case must be considered to be vital, demanding immediate action.

This is about the shameful incident at the Jakarta International School (JIS), which up till now was regarded as the best among 111 international schools operating in Indonesia. But for the past three weeks, the school has been abuzz with shocking news, particularly among parents of young children who attend classes there.

Inside the school that operates the tightest security system in the city, a 5-year-old boy was abused by a man who turned out to be one of the school's janitors. Reportedly, the incident happened more than once, taking place at the school's washroom facilities, during school hours. In other words, the school-more specifically the Jakarta International School-should have no excuse or be released from the responsibility over this most heinous crime.

Two things relating to the incident are a positive development. One is the ability of the child to recall his traumatic experience, and to be able to point out his abuser. Secondly, is the courage of the victim's parents to take the crime out to the public domain. According to surveys, similar cases get brushed away by the victim's own parents because of their sense of shame, rendering the crime unresolved. And the perpetrator is free to repeat his actions.

So far, data on violence against children in Indonesia tend to focus on the upper levels of society. Since the start of this year, for example, the Commission for the Protection of Children has received 239 reports of violence against children, 52 percent of them being sexual abuse cases. Throughout April, the police have recorded such reports from seven sets of parents on similar sexual abuse cases besetting their children in school. The real numbers are estimated to be far bigger, because many of the parents are reluctant to report similar incidents.

The JIS scandal must be seriously and responsibly managed. The perpetrators must be punished according to the maximum law allowed because their crime may impact on the future of the victim. It is not enough for the Jakarta International School to express regret and remorse, and apologize to the victim's family.

Tim Carr, the JIS principal has vowed to work with the Education and Culture Ministry and the police to 'find a solution'. The best solution would be to bring the case inside a court of law. The school is, after all, liable according to criminal as well as civil laws and the law on the protection of children. Based on the law on the protection of children alone, the punishment involves 15 years in jail and a maximum fine of Rp300 million.

The Education Ministry should not remain silent over this dastardly deed, because it was this institution that issued the school's license to operate. Minister Mohammad Nuh should not be reluctant to impose the maximum penalty, including the annulment of the school's operating license, if JIS is proven to have been negligent in protecting the students under its care. (*)

Read the full story in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine