Domestic Worker Assaulted by Employer Family for Soiling Shrine During Chinese New Year

JAKARTA — A domestic worker (ART) was assaulted by an employer’s family in Sunter, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta for allegedly soiling a household shrine during Chinese New Year celebrations.

According to Iptu Maryati Jonggi, Head of Public Relations for North Jakarta Metro Police, the assault incident occurred in 2023. The incident began when the suspected perpetrator, HW (42), and the victim, SY (57), were cleaning a shrine at the perpetrator’s home during the Imlek celebrations.

The victim allegedly performed actions considered to have contaminated the shrine. “The victim mischievously soiled the shrine. The victim mischievously inserted bamboo into the shrine during the Imlek preparations,” stated Jonggi when confirmed by Kompas.com on Monday (2 March 2026).

“After the perpetrator became aware of what they had done, they immediately apologised to the victim and the victim forgave the perpetrator. They also reconciled with the victim shortly after the incident,” Jonggi said.

He noted that the victim did not file a complaint and continues to work in the employer’s residence. “The victim actually did not want to lodge a report because to this day the victim still works at the perpetrator’s home,” he explained.

Police have conducted clarification with both the victim and the suspect, whilst further case developments await the outcome of counselling from P3A. “The case itself is being handled by investigators from the Women and Children’s Unit (PPA) and Special Crimes Unit (PPO) of North Jakarta Metro Police,” Jonggi stated.

Earlier, a video showing the assault committed by a family against a domestic worker in Sunter, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, went viral on social media. In the first video clip, a person wearing a white shirt appears to punch the domestic worker’s head whilst she wears a red striped shirt. The person in the white shirt then holds a grey object above a table whilst pointing towards the victim.