Invisible Trauma: The Psychological Impact if a Child Experiences Violence at Daycare

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Cases of violence against children in daycare centres have resurfaced. Spaces that should be safe havens for toddlers have instead become sources of fear. The latest incident occurred in Sorosutan, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta, when the management of Little Aresha daycare tied the hands of and gagged the children under their care. The case came to light after a former employee who had resigned reported it to the Yogyakarta City Department of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control (DP3AP2) on Monday (20/4/2026). Upon investigation, it was found that the daycare did not have an official permit. To date, the police have named 13 suspects, including the head of the school. The incident in Yogyakarta is not an isolated event. In 2024, a case of violence occurred at a daycare in Depok. A one-year-old toddler had to endure pain across his body after being doused with hot water. In line with this, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) records that around 44 percent of daycares do not have permits or legal status. On the other hand, around 75 percent of families in Indonesia need alternative childcare. “From a governance perspective, around 20 percent of daycares do not have SOPs, and 66.7 percent of the management staff are not certified. Meanwhile, 12 percent have registration marks and 13.3 percent are legal entities,” said Minister PPPA Arifah Fauzi, in a written statement, Sunday (26/4/2026).