Child Murder Case; Bill on Sexual Abuse Must Soon be Ratified

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR)'s Labor and Population Commission member, Nihayatul Wafiroh, urged the ratification of the bill on Sexual Abuse Eradication. The bill, according to her, is crucial following the increased number of sexual abuse cases.

“To create a clear legal protection. I also hope Mr. Setya Novanto (House Speaker) would provide support to ratify the bill,” she said on Thursday, January 12, 2017.

A murder case occurred in West Papua, where the victim was only 4 years old. “The victim (KM) was found buried in a muddy river, [the victim] wore no pants and was bleeding in her genital,” Nihayatul said.

Police have apprehended the suspects, who were the victim’s neighbor; Donal (18) and Nando (18). Another suspect is still on the run. “At the time the incident took place, the suspects were under the influence of alcohol. One of the suspect’s houses was burned down,” she said.

Nihayatul also urged the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister, Yohana Yambise, to step in. “Violence against children and women must be stopped. The government must have a clear legal instrument,” she said.

Nihayatul declared that her party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), will continue to precede the suspects’ legal proceedings. “We’ve lost Yuyun and now we’ve lost KM. Are we going to continue to let our children become victims?” she concluded.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI