More child abuse feared during crisis: Foundation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A foundation for children's welfare, Yayasan
\nKesejahteraan Anak Indonesia (YKAI), has raised fears of
\nincreasing child abuse, pointing particularly to various cases of
\nsexual exploitation of children.<\/p>\n
\"The crisis has led to an increase of sexual exploitation of
\nchildren,\" stated the foundation's report, which was made
\navailable to The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Among the incidents listed were the selling of teenage girls
\nby their families in Lampung, southern Sumatra for Rp 500,000 to
\nRp 2.5 million each in January. In Surakarta, Central Java, a
\nwidow, 34, sold her daughter, 13, for Rp 1 million. The widow
\nreported the sale to police when she was only paid Rp 150,000, as
\nreported on May 2 in the local Suara Merdeka daily.<\/p>\n
The report also cited indications of increased child
\nprostitution, including at least 1,000 children operating in
\nNorth Sumatra's streets, malls, hotels and discotheques.<\/p>\n
YKAI said in early September that 687 incidents of child abuse
\nwere reported in the media from 1994 to 1997, including 538
\ninvolving sexual abuse. It categorized other incidents as
\nphysical abuse, 80, emotional abuse, five, and neglect, 63.<\/p>\n
\"In 1997, there was a 45 percent drop in reports of sexual
\nexploitation (of children),\" YKAI said, but argued \"this was
\nbecause political events were more attractive to the media.\"<\/p>\n
Children were helpless, the report said, quoting research on
\nchild prostitution by Irwanto in 1998 in the West Java village of
\nIndramayu. \"Parents have the sole authority over their children
\nand participate in all rituals... and preparation of children to
\nbecome prostitutes, including taking their child's income from
\nprostitution,\" YKAI reported.<\/p>\n
The foundation defined child sexual exploitation as a sexual
\nrelationship by an adult of 18 years or older toward a child
\nunder 14. YKAI pointed out that Indonesia has ratified
\ninternational children rights through a 1980 presidential decree,
\nbut urged the issuance of a Child Protection Law.<\/p>\n
The above indications, YKAI argued, cannot be ignored because
\nthe likely affect would threaten the growth and development of
\nchildren's mental and physical condition. Depression, stress,
\nanxiety and anorexia are among the posttraumatic symptoms
\ntriggered by sexual abuse, the report said.<\/p>\n
To reduce child abuse, YKAI has urged the government, non-
\ngovernmental organizations, schools and religious institutions to
\nsupport children's rights. It recommended that the government's
\nsocial safety net encompass all needy people, in the form of
\nfood, medical supplies and education, to prevent, for example,
\nfamilies selling their children. Rehabilitation centers and child
\nprotection institutes were needed for the care of children who
\nhad become victims of child abuse. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-child-abuse-feared-during-crisis-foundation-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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