KPAI Highlights Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation in Cibitung-Tamansari Case

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has highlighted the rampant phenomenon of modern slavery in the form of commercial sexual exploitation of children involving syndicates and corporations, following the uncovering of cases in a number of cafes in the Jakarta and Bekasi areas. Previously, the Directorate of Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking (PPA-PPO) of the Metro Jaya Regional Police dismantled a child trafficking and exploitation network in two different locations, namely in Cibitung (Bekasi Regency, West Java) and Lokasari, Tamansari, West Jakarta. The modus operandi used by the perpetrators was to recruit children under the age of 18 to be used as commercial sex workers. Investigations revealed that the victims were allegedly forced to act as companions for male guests, accompanying them to consume alcoholic beverages, sing karaoke, and provide sexual services. KPAI Commissioner Ai Maryati Solihah explained that child exploitation cases are no longer merely ordinary criminality, but a structured form of modern slavery. “This is what we must underline, because within it there are certainly individuals, syndicates, and corporations. There are several companies that continue to use child syndication for these corporations,” she said during a press conference at the Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters in South Jakarta, Wednesday (8/7). She explained that the perpetrators’ modus operandi often targets migrant children with the lure of jobs to meet lifestyle and economic needs. Similar cases, according to her, do not only occur in the capital city and its surroundings, but have also been uncovered in other areas such as Maumere, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. “Therefore, KPAI urges the police to continue investigating this network to its roots in order to break the chain of ongoing child exploitation,” said Ai. Ai also expressed deep concern over the condition of the child victims. She said that health examination results indicated some victims had Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and were HIV positive. In addition to the physical impact, KPAI also highlighted the complex psychological condition of the victims. Some children were reported to have been manipulated and trapped, but there were also those who knew the type of work from the start but did not feel like victims because they were driven by economic factors. “The situation of our children who sometimes do not feel like victims is an ongoing need for us to provide continuous and complete recovery,” she said. Ai Maryati emphasised that KPAI will fully oversee the social rehabilitation and social reintegration process to ensure it runs in an integrated manner with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection. Her party is also pushing for the application of restitution rights or compensation for victims as an important element in rebuilding their lives in society. According to her, this exploitation has deprived children of their basic rights, including the right to education, health, play spaces, and proper care. “The approach to breaking the chain of modern slavery must be carried out seriously. Child victims must return to enjoying their rights and live normally,” explained Ai Maryati. In the same press conference, the Director of PPA-PPO of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Rita Wulandari Wibowo, revealed that the uncovering of the alleged human trafficking crimes in Cibitung and Tamansari began with cyber patrols and public reports through the Metro Jaya Regional Police’s official digital platform indicating child trafficking practices. She explained that after conducting intensive profiling and cyber tracing, the police detected strong indications of child trafficking in the ‘Tenda Biru’ localisation area, Cibitung. Police then rescued eight minors suspected of being victims of the trafficking network. “In the operation, officers secured eight underage victims from four different cafes,” she said. Rita stated that based on the investigation, the network in Cibitung is suspected to have been operating for approximately three years. “The suspects consciously knew the victims were underage when recruited. They provided facilities and means to reap profits from this sexual exploitation in a structured and sustainable manner,” said Rita. Then at the second location in the Lokasari area, Tamansari, West Jakarta, the PPA-PPO Directorate also uncovered a similar case. At that location, police secured one minor. Police have also named a 40-year-old woman with the initials RS, who acted as the coordinator or familiarly called ‘Mami’, as the main suspect. “Suspect RS played a role in recruiting an underage victim to be sexually exploited,” explained Rita. Rita added that from the total victims rescued at the two locations, medical examination results showed health disorders requiring intensive treatment. The police have now coordinated with the Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) and the Social Services of DKI Jakarta and West Java to place the victims in a safe house to receive psychological rehabilitation and the fulfilment of restitution rights.