MPR Calls for Serious Action to Prevent Violence Against Children

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat highlighted that efforts to prevent violence against children need serious action from all parties, as cases of violence are still relatively high in Indonesia.

She assessed that various efforts to prevent violence against children must continue to be increased through complete and integrated policies at the central and regional levels.

"Violence against children needs all parties' seriousness in preventive efforts, implementation of several policies, and readiness of officials and the community in responding to violence cases," she noted in an MPR statement received here on Saturday.

Based on the record of the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (Simfoni PPA), from January to November 2023, some 15,120 cases of violence against children were recorded, with 12,158 girls and 4,691 boys having fallen victims.

She noted that most number of victims recorded during the period from 2019 to 2023 had experienced sexual violence.

Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crime has mandated the creation of regional technical service units for the protection of women and children. So far, the units have been formed in 34 out of 38 provinces in Indonesia.

Moerdijat opined that several policies and laws regarding the prevention and handling of violence against children and women must be implemented maximally.

She further emphasized that law enforcement officials and the general public must continue to be educated, so that they are able to apply the existing policies for the prevention of violence against children and women.

The MPR deputy speaker underlined that children need an environment that supports their growth and development optimally, both physically and mentally, so that they can become strong and competitive generations in the future.

To this end, Moerdijat expressed hope that the central and regional governments would continue to bolster their commitment to preventing violence against children and women to realize better future generations.

ANTARA

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