President Jokowi Aims to End Violence Against Children
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9 January 2020 20:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During a meeting on violence against children, President Jokowi said the number of such cases has increased exponentially from 2015 to 2016. The types of child violence involve; sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, as well as abandonment.
In 2015, there were 1,975 cases of child abuse, while the following year, unfortunately, saw a steep climb to 6,820 cases of child abuse.
“Learning from that data, I am sure that the phenomenon of violence against children is just the tip of the iceberg with only a few cases that were reported before,” said the President at the State Palace on Thursday, January 9.
Joko Widodo, during the meeting, ordered State Ministers to focus on three crucial elements to prevent future reoccurrences of such cases. He first asserted that prevention programs must be socialized among families, schools, and society level.
Second, he called for the government to come up with a public service system where people can report child violence. “Most importantly, providing them with swift responses,” said the former Jakarta governor.
Lastly, President Jokowi wants perpetrators committing violence against children to be handed punishments that would deter them. “Especially if those cases are related to pedophilia and sexual abuse against children.”
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI