Bill sets penalties for crimes against children

Bill sets penalties for crimes against children

JAKARTA (JP): A government sanctioned team has finished
drafting the child protection bill that will allow the National
Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA) to take custody of
children from parents for alleged negligence or abuse.

The bill, consisting of 57 articles, threatens those
committing crimes against children, such as physical abuse, rape
and trafficking, with minimum penalties of nine years
imprisonment and Rp 200 million fine.

The commission's executive director, Arist Merdeka Sirait,
said on Thursday the new bill would also allow doctors, teachers
and neighbors to report any child abuse cases to the police or to
the commission.

"Victims of abuse will be admitted to the commission's shelter
and will stay there until their parents can prove they will never
repeat the misconduct," Arist told reporters.

The proposed bill also deals with child labor, prostitution
and exploitation.

"It allows us to remove neglected children from their
parents," Arist said.

There are around 1.7 million children nationwide working in
hazardous places such as mines, offshore fisheries and factories.
There are also some 70,000 underaged female sex workers, not to
mention rampant child abuse.

Indonesia enacted in 1979 the law on children's welfare, which
allows the government to revoke parents' rights to raise their
children.

Another commission member Irwanto said many child abuse cases
were left unsettled, because of cultural norms that considered
abuse a domestic affair.

The government team was formed two years ago. It comprises
officials from the former ministry of social affairs, ministry of
law and legislation, child abuse experts, non-governmental
organizations, Komnas PA and legal aid institutions. (dja)