Eight Minors Among Victims of Sexual Exploitation at Four Bekasi Cafés

Polda Metro Jaya has uncovered a case of sexual exploitation disguised as café operations in Cibitung, Bekasi Regency, West Java. Of the 37 victims secured, eight were children under the age of 18.

Director of Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Crime at Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Rita Wulandari Wibowo, stated that the exploitation occurred across four cafés in the Cibitung area. “We can confirm there were four cafés. At each café, we found some had two child victims, others had one. In total, there were eight child victims,” she said during a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya, Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Rita revealed that the eight child victims are currently suffering from medical issues and require special care. “From the examinations, it was found that they are experiencing medical problems. Therefore, intensive treatment is needed for these child victims,” she disclosed.

To further investigate the case, police have examined 17 witnesses. Additionally, all 37 victims who were secured underwent urine tests. “At the outset, we conducted urine tests on the 37 individuals we secured to determine if there was any drug abuse activity, but we found none,” she added.

Rita explained that the perpetrators’ modus operandi was to exploit the victims as commercial sex workers. They were forced to accompany male guests within the localised red-light district. “The perpetrators exploited the children, turning them into commercial sex workers by making them companions for male guests at several cafés, as there were several cafés within the localised area,” Rita stated. “Out of the many cafés, we have indicated four locations or four cafés where we found children being exploited.”

While accompanying the male clients, the victims were required to consume alcoholic beverages, sing karaoke, and were forced into sexual intercourse. “Besides providing companionship, they were also required to accompany or consume alcoholic beverages. Then there were karaoke activities, singing, which led to sexual intercourse,” Rita said.

Police have named 12 individuals as suspects in this case. They are believed to have held dual roles, acting as pimps, cashiers, and marketing staff for the cafés. “There are 12 suspects. Their roles overlapped. They were marketing staff, they also worked there, and were cashiers,” Rita stated. “So they had a double burden. For example, someone employed as a cashier also doubled as a marketing person. So if they managed to sell (get a customer), they received a bonus.”

For their actions, the 12 suspects are charged under Article 76I in conjunction with Article 88 of the Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 200 million. The suspects are also charged under Article 12 in conjunction with Article 15 letters f and g of Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, as well as related articles in the Criminal Code, namely Article 419, Article 420, Article 421, Article 422, and Article 455.