Idle child protection body revived

Idle child protection body revived

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While other children are shielded from violence on TV, Ratih
experienced it firsthand, in her own home.

The eight-year-old Bekasi student was allegedly burned on the
chest and back by her stepmother, and bears the scars.
Her neighbors took her to a nearby medical clinic for
treatment. Then, for her own protection, Ratih was taken to the
neighborhood unit chief's house.

She was luckier than Ezra, 5, as her suffering was discovered
by people outside her family unit.

Up until a year ago, Ezra was frequently abused, with the
consent of his parents, allegedly by the leader of a religious
sect in Pondok Daun, named Susan Sembayak. Ezra's parents are
members of the sect.

The explanation given by former sect members is that Susan
could not stand Ezra's crying. They told the police that Susan
had dipped Ezra's feet into boiling water in January 2000.

Both child abuse cases are currently being investigated by the
police. The perpetrators may be charged with violating Article 80
of the child protection law on the physical abuse of children.

Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of a child may call
any of the Jakarta Institution for Child Protection's (LPA DKI)
hotline numbers. The LPA DKI, which was established through a
gubernatorial decree in 1997, is collaborating with the city
administration in providing the hotlines.

Head of the LPA DKI Roostien Ilyas, said on Friday that it
would start operating early next year. For seven years, the
institution has been unable to offer its services due to a lack
of human resources.

"The hotline numbers will accommodate reports of children's
rights violations. We will direct the reports to the right
institution, such as counseling organizations or the police," she
said.

Roostien encouraged Jakartans to contact the LPA DKI if they
suspected a child was being abused, but suggested neighborhood
unit chiefs could make good first contacts.

"The LPA does not have the legal authority to intervene in
one's domestic affairs. But, if we bring in the neighborhood unit
chief, we may get easier access," she said.

The institution will deploy around 9,000 social workers at
neighborhood unit level. It will also arrange meetings with the
workers to distribute information on the child protection law and
children's rights.

"We want them to realize that children are our future. We have
to treat them well," she said.

The LPA can be contacted at:

Area Contact person Phone numbers

* Central Jakarta Hamim Salampessy 4240899, 081310003820

* West Jakarta Moh. Sidiq 5457149, 08129334836

* South Jakarta Sunarto 83792739, 081584091563

* East Jakarta Johan Sigit W. 47865157, 08151624566

* North Jakarta/Kepulauan Seribu Sumitro 08129498381

* Bekasi Ronny 0811815969, 08557772888