IDAI to Follow Legal Process for Sanctions on Daycare Neglecting Children
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chairman of the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI), Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, stated that IDAI will follow the legal process for sanctions in the case of a child daycare in Yogyakarta that neglected young children, as it has entered the criminal realm.
“Because the Yogyakarta case has entered the medico-legal domain. It has entered the criminal realm. So, let the police handle it; at most, IDAI will serve as an expert witness,” said Piprim during an online discussion attended from Jakarta on Wednesday.
He said IDAI is prepared to act as an expert witness in the child neglect daycare case if testimony is required in court. Currently, IDAI is focusing on supporting parents and children, as well as providing management such as trauma recovery.
Piprim stated that stakeholders and the public cannot remain idle amid this phenomenon and that systematic efforts are needed to prevent similar incidents from recurring, especially since the case involves children who should be the golden generation of the future.
Prevention of non-compliant daycares is hoped to avert deep and lasting trauma and to protect children from becoming a traumatised generation caused by violence experienced while entrusted to a daycare.
“We cannot just sit idly by. Systematic efforts are needed for prevention. Especially to ensure all daycares have proper standards and are supervised by experts,” he said.
Piprim added that parents also need to be more cautious in choosing daycares and not be swayed by cheap promotions or unclear branding. It is also important to ensure the presence of CCTV accessible to parents and safe daycare standards for children.
He also advised parents to be more alert to signs of violence that children may experience, whether physical or psychological, which can cause trauma.
“From IDAI, we are ready to collaborate with parents if there is any suspicion; do not hesitate to consult a paediatrician, especially the child growth and development consultants at IDAI. Please consult if parents find signs of violence experienced by their child,” said Piprim.
Meanwhile, Dr. dr. Fitri Hartanto Sp.A Subsp TKPSK (K) from the IDAI Working Group on Growth and Development and Social Paediatrics stated that follow-up action is needed to close daycares that do not meet operational standards to prevent child victims from experiencing violence.
“The regulations are already comprehensive. Very comprehensive; daycares that do not comply must be closed and not allowed to operate anymore. Legal sanctions, of course, through legal mechanisms,” said Fitri.
Fitri explained that parents should watch for traumatic signs in children who have been placed in daycares, including crying when taken to the daycare, unexplained fever as a psychological response, and bedwetting due to fear and trauma.