Arifah: Handling of Child Sexual Exploitation Must Protect Victims
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, stated that the handling of child sexual exploitation cases involving a Japanese national in the Blok M area, South Jakarta, must adhere to the principles of child protection and the prevention of re-victimisation.
“Reporting on cases involving children must continue to observe child protection ethics. The dissemination of photos, videos, identities, or any other information that could reveal the victim’s identity has the potential to cause long-lasting psychological impacts and hinder the victim’s recovery,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta on Tuesday.
According to her, children must not undergo repeated trauma due to insensitive examination processes, negative labelling, social judgement, or the widespread dissemination of the victim’s identity and personal information.
“Therefore, all parties, including the mass media and the public, have a responsibility to safeguard the best interests of the child. Child protection requires the collective involvement of families, the environment, educational institutions, society, the media, as well as central and regional governments,” said Arifah Fauzi.
She noted that the emergence of this case demonstrates that threats to the safety and protection of children can still occur within various social spaces surrounding them.
Minister Arifah Fauzi emphasised that all forms of sexual exploitation against children constitute a serious violation of children’s rights and cannot be tolerated in any form.
According to her, child sexual exploitation is a severe form of violence that impacts the safety, health, development, and future of the child. As victims, children are in a vulnerable position regarding persuasion, pressure, and manipulation, and are at risk of long-term physical, psychological, social, and mental-emotional impacts, including trauma, social relationship disorders, educational barriers, and addiction issues.