Kid lament rampant violence against them<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Some say a slap or two won't hurt, while others say that even the
\nslightest smack will do psychological harm.<\/p>\n
Let's hear from children about what violence against them
\nreally means.<\/p>\n
\"Anything adults do forcefully that affects children's hearts
\nand feelings,\" said Anas, from Maluku.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Didi from Nusa Tenggara Timur said that when
\nparents quarreled, it was a form of \"psychological violence
\nagainst children.\"<\/p>\n
These statements by children are set out in the book Violence
\nAgainst Children In the Eyes of Indonesian Children launched by
\nthe Office of the State Minister of Women's Empowerment on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Based on a survey of around 600 children in 18 provinces,
\ncarried out from January through July this year, the book reveals that
\nIndonesian children have nowhere to hide as violence against them
\nis rampant everywhere.<\/p>\n
Be it at home, school, on the street or in places such as
\norphanages, detention centers, and so on, children continue to be
\nat the receiving end of physical, sexual and psychological abuse,
\nas well as physical exploitation to get income.<\/p>\n
\"In a religious gathering, while the teungku (cleric) talked,
\nmy friend was talking with another friend next to him. The
\nteungku then threw a big chunk of wood at him. It hit his ear and
\nit started bleeding,\" said Kiki from Aceh province.<\/p>\n
There are bitter tales of children who were raped, forced into
\nprostitution or married off at an early age. There is also
\nvarious forms of cultural violence, such as that which costs
\nchildren in Papua a finger if a relative dies.<\/p>\n
All these abuses are shown by drawings of a child's body in
\nthe book, which illustrates the types of abuses perpetrated on
\neach part of the body, complete with the implements used, such as
\nhot cloths irons, sticks, fire, and so on.<\/p>\n
State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Farida Hatta
\nSwasono said that the prevalence and types of violence were found
\nright across the board regardless of socioeconomic class or
\neducational background. However, poor parents usually relied more
\non their children to relieve their burdens.<\/p>\n
\"These acts of violence reflect our failure to care for
\nchildren. Children are still perceived as the property of their
\nparents, and people accept that parents can treat their children
\nas they see fit,\" said Meutia, who edited the book.<\/p>\n
Child abuse is linked to cultural values as a necessary part
\nof teaching a child discipline and obedience. However, in reality
\nany form of abuse can hamper a child's growth and development,
\ncause death, affect health, or reduce the ability to learn and
\neven willingness to go to school.<\/p>\n
It leads to children running away from home, exposing them to
\nfurther abuse. Abuse also destroys children's self confidence and
\ncan undermine their ability to become good parents in the future.<\/p>\n
\"While the Child Protection Law is on the statute books, it is
\nnot being applied effectively. Child abuse is still conceived a
\ndomestic affair. In reality, under the law people who see
\nviolence against children can file a complaint,\" Meutia said.<\/p>\n
\"This book serves as a guide and provides information to local
\ngovernments and organizations to improve the participation of
\nchildren, to prevent violence against children, and to help those
\nchildren who have been abused.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kid-lament-rampant-violence-against-them-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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