Empathy Must Come Before Tragedy

A child should find a sense of safety at home, discover friendship in their neighbourhood and learn that every person deserves respect, whatever their physical condition or abilities.

But for a child with disabilities in Surabaya, East Java, that basic hope ended in a tragedy that has shaken the public conscience.

The 10-year-old died on 12 September 2026, allegedly after violence involving two peers near the child’s home in the Rungkut area of Surabaya.

The child had Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, as well as physical and communication limitations that made them more vulnerable when facing threats.

The incident should not be allowed to fade into a suspected bullying case that draws attention only briefly. A child’s death raises more fundamental questions about the ability of families, communities and government to create genuinely safe environments for children, especially those facing multiple forms of vulnerability.

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi stressed the importance of parents maintaining close relationships with their children, including through communication and an understanding of their everyday lives. The Surabaya municipal government is also providing support to the victim’s family and the children allegedly involved.

That support is important, but the tragedy demands a broader review than simply improving communication at home.

Family care is the foundation of child protection, but it is not the only safeguard. Children grow up in wider environments where empathy is shaped, behaviour observed and actions that hurt others should be stopped from the outset.

A community warning sign