3,764 Children in NTB Victims of Violence Over Six Years, East Lombok Records Highest Cases

National Children’s Day, commemorated every 23 July, serves as a reminder of the importance of child protection. However, in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), thousands of children have become victims of violence over the past six years. Based on data from the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (Simfoni PPA) V2, a total of 3,764 children were victims of violence between 2020 and 2025. The recorded cases include sexual, physical, and psychological violence, as well as neglect. “The data fluctuates, sometimes up, sometimes down,” said the Head of LPA NTB, Sukran Hasan. Sukran noted that sexual violence has been the most dominant type of case in recent years. Most of the sexual violence cases handled involved perpetrators from the victim’s immediate environment, such as peers or romantic partners. “Sexual violence is the most dominant, followed by physical violence. But the most frequent is sexual violence. This sexual violence is often perpetrated by peers and boyfriends,” he explained. He assessed that the increase in reports is also influenced by more intensive socialisation and assistance provided by the UPTD PPA, LPA, and local-level counsellors. According to Simfoni PPA V2 data, cases of violence against children have generally increased from 2020 to 2025. There were 482 cases in 2020, 598 in 2021, 738 in 2022, 659 in 2023, 633 in 2024, and 654 in 2025. During the 2020-2025 period, the highest number of child violence cases occurred in East Lombok, with 1,030 cases. This was followed by North Lombok (583), West Lombok (392), Dompu (338), Mataram City (314), Bima (297), Central Lombok (265), Sumbawa (213), Bima Regency (178), and West Sumbawa (154). “East Lombok has the most cases, followed by North Lombok. The reason for the increase is that there are many counsellors in the villages, funded by the local government. So all cases in North Lombok are detected, and the data is connected to the LPA and the Social Services,” he said. In addition to cases involving males and females, LPA NTB also found instances of sexual violence against boys. In one case handled by LPA NTB some time ago, an adult male lured a boy with the promise of playing PlayStation (PS). “The man’s modus operandi was running a PS business; the form of violence was that they were enticed to play PS. Then, at the place, they were called one by one and offered money,” he explained. Sukran added that same-sex violence cases tend to be more difficult to uncover because victims are reluctant to report. “There was once a case where someone wanted to report, but it was difficult and stalled midway. The modus operandi for female-to-female cases is that they are treated to meals, bought things, and then it becomes like a dating relationship,” he said. The average age of victims experiencing sexual violence ranges from 14 to 17 years. Meanwhile, LPA NTB Secretary Giras Genta believes that the family’s role is key in preventing violence against children. According to him, parents need to build communication and spend more quality time with their children. “The key lies in parenting; parents must have plenty of time for their children. It is not just about giving them money and letting them go. If possible, sit together, have family time, at least increase quality time,” he concluded.