House of Representatives Monitors Handling of Child Abuse Case at Jogja Daycare
The case of child abuse at Little Aresha daycare in Yogyakarta has drawn serious attention from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) as a real test of the state’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable groups. This incident is not only seen as a criminal act but also as an important indicator of the effectiveness of Indonesia’s child protection system.
Deputy Speaker of DPR RI, Sari Yuliati, directly visited the Yogyakarta Special Region Police Headquarters to monitor the progress of handling the case. This visit is part of DPR’s oversight function to ensure that the legal process runs transparently, accountably, and in favour of the victims.
In her statement, Sari emphasised that the handling of child abuse cases must be based on two main pillars, namely firm law enforcement and systematic prevention measures. “Law enforcement is important to give a deterrent effect to the perpetrators, as well as a strong warning to anyone not to commit similar acts,” she said.
She also appreciated the quick response of law enforcement officials in Yogyakarta, who were deemed prompt from the initial handling of the case. However, she reminded that the legal process should not stop at the initial stage, but must be monitored until completion, especially because the use of layered articles requires careful proof.
“I request that this process be monitored until it is finished. The articles used are layered, so they must be handled carefully and comprehensively to provide complete justice,” stressed the politician from the Golkar Party faction.
Furthermore, Sari revealed that DPR RI is examining the discourse on revising the Child Protection Law as a strategic step to strengthen child protection from the upstream side. According to her, although various derivative regulations are available, their implementation is considered not yet strong enough to provide effective protection.
“Our focus going forward is to ensure that similar incidents do not recur. From the regulatory side, there is a discourse on revising the Child Protection Law which is an initiative of DPR,” she explained.
The approach being promoted is not only penal but also non-penal, namely through strengthening the prevention system. This includes improving operational standards for child care institutions, stricter supervision, and community involvement in early detection of potential violence.
DPR views the revision of the law as an opportunity to build a more comprehensive and adaptive child protection system to the challenges of the times. Law enforcement remains the main pillar, but without strong prevention efforts, the cycle of violence is feared to continue repeatedly.
Through comprehensive regulatory improvements, DPR is optimistic that child protection efforts can be significantly strengthened. The state is expected not only to be present when violations occur, but also to ensure that every Indonesian child grows up in a safe, protected, and dignified environment.