Deep Trauma for Junior High School Girl Victim of Kidnapping and Rape in Dompu, NTB

Deep trauma following her kidnapping and rape over nine days has led NM (14), a junior high school student in Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), to choose not to continue her schooling. The teenager, previously known for her cheerfulness, has undergone a drastic change. She has become anxious, fearful, and reluctant to meet new people, especially males around the same age as the perpetrator. “What the victim has experienced, she is afraid and doesn’t dare to go anywhere, even to school she won’t continue,” said Sahrul Ramadhan, an activist from the Women’s and Children’s Protection NGO LERA Dompu, to detikBali on Friday (24/4/2026). Worsening Psychological Condition The Head of the Regional Executive Unit for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (UPTD P3A) Dompu, Utari Rahmawati, revealed that the victim’s psychological condition is experiencing severe trauma. “The victim’s condition is experiencing severe trauma. When we ask her something, she has to think first, not responding immediately,” said Utari. According to her, the trauma was triggered by constant death threats issued by the perpetrator during the captivity. Over nine days, the victim was haunted by threats involving a sharp weapon, a machete. Counselling staff from the Dompu DP3A are continuing to provide support to restore the victim’s physical and mental condition. Kidnapped for 9 Days and Experienced Sexual Violence The incident began when NM was abducted by a man she knew through WhatsApp after school following an exam. She was then held captive for nine days in an empty rented house. During the captivity, the victim admitted to being raped three times and abused. She was also threatened with death if she did not comply with the perpetrator’s wishes. Now in a Safe House NM is now placed in the Child Safe House during the legal process at the Dompu Police Resort. She is receiving health examinations, accompaniment, psychological assessments, and assistance with basic needs. “Yesterday, they came to file a complaint; currently, she is staying at the Child Safe House until the investigative statement process at the police is complete, then we will return her to her home,” said Utari. Family Worried, Preparing Relocation Sahrul said the victim’s parents plan to stop their child’s education for the sake of the victim’s psychological condition. In addition, the family will relocate the victim to a relative’s house in another area to avoid bullying and social pressure. “The parents are very frightened because the perpetrator has not been secured. The victim will be moved to her family’s house in another area after this complaint report is completed,” explained Sahrul. DP3A: Victim Must Continue Schooling Utari emphasised that her side will visit the victim’s school and provide understanding to the parents regarding children’s rights. “A child who becomes a victim of violence must not drop out of school. We will visit the school and meet the parents again. Even though she is a victim, the child’s rights must still be fulfilled,” said Utari.