TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) recorded an increase in requests for protection in cases of sexual violence against children throughout 2021, reaching 426 reports.

The agency’s deputy chairperson Edwin Partogi Pasaribu said the number jumped by 91 percent compared to the previous year which was recorded at 223 reports. “Serious steps must be taken by the government,” said Edwin in a written statement, Wednesday, January 26.

Throughout 2021, LPSK received 2,182 requests, up 50 percent from 2020 which amounted to 1,454. The 2021 report was the highest since the agency was founded 13 years ago.

Most of the applicants, or 983 people, have the status of victims, 386 people were witnesses, 370 people were witnesses of the victim, 169 people were reporters, and the rest were under another legal status.

According to Edwin, the hike in the number of requests in 2021 could not be separated from proactive efforts to address cases that have become national concerns, besides the growing public awareness to apply for protection in cases they were involved. “Requests for protection in 2021 mostly come from the individuals, followed by requests from the victim's family,” he added.

Edwin further assessed that the soaring number of requests in 2021 showed the high expectations and trust of the public in LPSK, and so the agency’s existence was increasingly needed by law enforcement agencies.

Read: KPAI Records 18 Sexual Violence Cases in Schools Throughout 2021

MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI