KPAI: DIY Daycare Violence Reveals Weak Local Regulations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) views the case of violence against 53 children at a daycare in Yogyakarta as indicative of weak supervision and regulation of daycares at the local level. “This case shows the weakness in supervision and regulation of daycares at the local level. Many institutions operate without official permits, lack standard operating procedures (SOP) for childcare, and escape monitoring by relevant agencies,” said KPAI Deputy Chairman Jasra Putra when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday. According to him, the absence of a connected referral and assessment system means that potential violence in daycares fails to be detected early. “Thus, it results in weak tiered supervision and a broken referral chain,” said Jasra Putra. KPAI expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the violence against dozens of children at the daycare. “The discovery of children with their hands and feet tied, and mouths stuffed with cloth to prevent crying, is a humanitarian tragedy that slaps the face of child protection in Indonesia,” said Jasra Putra. Previously, Daycare Little Aresha in Yogyakarta was reported to the police regarding allegations of violence and neglect of the children entrusted there. The police then raided the daycare on Friday (24/4). At least 53 children were indicated to have experienced violence, discrimination, and neglect out of 103 children entrusted at the daycare. Yogyakarta Police have named 13 suspects in the case of violence and child neglect at Daycare Little Aresha. Two of the 13 suspects are DK (51) as the foundation chair, and AP (42) as the school principal. The other eleven suspects are daycare caregivers.