KPAI Labels Sukabumi Case of Child Killed by Stepmother as Filicide

Jakarta, VIVA – The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has stated that the case of violence against a child allegedly perpetrated by a stepmother, which resulted in the victim’s death in Sukabumi Regency, West Java, constitutes filicide.

“The case in Surade, Sukabumi Regency, where a child with the initials N (12) was abused by a stepmother falls under a case of filicide, namely the killing of a child by a parent — in this case, a stepmother,” said KPAI Commissioner Diyah Puspitarini when contacted in Jakarta on Sunday.

Filicide is the killing of a child committed by a parent, whether the father or the mother.

According to Diyah Puspitarini, filicide is categorised as severe domestic violence.

“Filicide is a major case within domestic violence. The contributing factors behind filicide are varied,” she said.

“The factors that cause filicide include economic pressures, jealousy, fear or anxiety, lack of emotional and social support, and problematic parental emotional regulation. Filicide occurs because the child frequently experiences violence,” Diyah Puspitarini said.

Previously, a 12-year-old boy died allegedly as a result of abuse by his stepmother in Sukabumi Regency, West Java.

The victim died with bruises and burn marks on his body.

The victim normally resided at an Islamic boarding school. However, at the time of the incident, he was on leave in preparation for the beginning of the fasting month with his family.

At the time, the victim’s father, who was working in Sukabumi City, received a telephone call from his wife asking him to return home immediately, claiming the victim had fallen ill.

Upon arriving home, the father rushed the victim to Jampang Kulon Hospital for medical treatment.

Tragically, the victim ultimately passed away at the hospital.

The case is currently under investigation by Sukabumi Police.