AKAR Institution Monitors Child Rights Violation Case at Yogyakarta Daycare
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Vulnerable Consumer Advocacy Institution (AKAR) is concerned about the alleged child rights violation case at Daycare Little Aresha in Yogyakarta City and is ready to monitor the handling of child violence and neglect at the childcare facility until it is fully resolved.
“The AKAR Institution will continue to monitor this case until it is resolved and ensure that children’s rights as consumers are maximally protected,” said Chair of the Vulnerable Consumer Advocacy Institution, Saktya Rini Hastuti, in her statement in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.
According to her, such steps are necessary because child protection is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility of all elements of society.
She stated that the Yogyakarta daycare case serves as a reminder of existing weaknesses in supervision, protection standards, and safe and effective complaint mechanisms for vulnerable consumers, particularly children.
Therefore, she said, every daycare service or childcare facility must adhere to principles of prudence, transparency, accountability, and strict child protection standards.
“The responsibility for protection does not lie solely with parents but also with service providers, such as business operators in service provision, including daycare services, local governments, and the state as a whole,” she said.
She further explained that based on initial information circulating in the public, there are allegations of improper treatment of children within the daycare facility, encompassing aspects of care, safety, and psychological well-being.
She also stated that in light of the child rights violations at the daycare, her side urges the local government to immediately conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the reported daycare.
Relevant agencies should evaluate and tighten the licensing system and routine supervision of all daycare services in Yogyakarta, while law enforcement should take firm action if criminal elements are found in this case.
“The management should take full responsibility, including providing open clarification and restoration for the victims. The government should then develop national standards for daycare services oriented towards child protection, including mandatory training for caregivers,” she said.
The AKAR Institution urges parents and the public to be more selective in choosing daycare services, opting for those that are transparent about their facilities and have channels for receiving user complaints.
“The AKAR Institution also calls on all daycare providers not to treat childcare services merely as a business activity without ethical commitment to child safety. Parental trust is a mandate that must be upheld, not exploited,” she said.