Long-Standing Contributions of Iptu Yanti in Handling Child Cases and Human Trafficking

Ps Panit Subdit IV, Ditreskrimum Polda Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) Iptu Yanti Harefa prioritises victims’ rights in handling cases involving women victims of violence and criminal acts of human trafficking (TPPO). Iptu Yanti is regarded as a police officer who strives for cases concerning children and women to be handled thoroughly.

Iptu Yanti is one of the names proposed for the Hoengeng Awards 2026. She was nominated by several residents due to her track record in the field of women and child protection (PPA). One of the nominators is a Batam resident, Debora Leonardo.

“If in handling cases involving women and children, the person in question is truly exceptional, effective; she has even served as a resource person on women and children at schools and other institutions. As for case handling, from what I’ve heard and seen, all cases are resolved, with quick handling,” said Debora Leonardo when contacted by detikcom on Wednesday (4/2/2026).

Debora got to know Iptu Yanti when she was still working as a daily casual worker (PHL) at Polda Riau. Debora stated that Iptu Yanti greatly pays attention to victims’ rights in case handling.

“I see that regarding victims, she is humane; she is also not subjective in handling victims, more broadly, so case handling is not subjective towards victims or perpetrators, to ensure maximum law enforcement,” she said.

Debora assessed Iptu Yanti as a good figure in leading her team. According to her, Iptu Yanti is also a friendly person.

“What I’ve seen, in terms of communication, it’s quite good; back then when I worked with her, the working team was good, even those not in the work team, including me who wasn’t in her work team, we could talk about many things to gain insights and opinions; we could have good conversations,” she said.

Debora said Iptu Yanti always makes time so that victims receive their rights and accompaniment. Even, Iptu Yanti is said to monitor victims even outside working hours.

“For victims, fulfilling victims’ rights is certainly done by her; whatever rights that need to be followed up, she wants to be more effective, not ‘oh, this is not working hours, or after work’; if there is a victim who needs it, she is more alert and quick in handling and following up,” she said.

Furthermore, Debora said Iptu Yanti pursues TPPO perpetrators and violence against children and women even to areas outside the region.

“She even went to far areas. Her track record is extensive, reaching various regions, besides Bekasi, in Java as well, and even to NTT,” she added.

Victim’s Story on Case Handling

A woman with initials A also became one of those who nominated Iptu Yanti. A is a victim of human trafficking crime (TPPO) in Batam.

A initially worked at an entertainment venue in Batam City. She was offered a job by an agent, but that agent did not have a permit.

“I was already in Batam then, so I was offered a job, oh well, I accepted it,” said A to detikcom.

A worked at that entertainment venue for 7 months until finally the place was raided in December 2025. The suspected TPPO perpetrator and 15 victims were secured, one of whom was A.

“Yesterday, because of the agency, from the agency there were underage children, so during the raid, there were 15 of us, we 15 people were brought to Polda Kepri. Basically, the agency had no certificate, that’s why it was problematic, that’s new,” said A.

When A was examined at Polda Kepri, she admitted to receiving good service from Iptu Yanti. According to her, Iptu Yanti pays attention to victims’ rights.

“We were brought to Polda during the raid at CGC; when we were brought there, we were well taken care of, from food to kindness; Mrs Yanti was not rough when asking questions,” she said.

While working at that entertainment venue, A admitted that her salary was deducted up to 35 percent. She said Iptu Yanti fought for the return of the deducted salary.

“Because there the percentage deduction was large, and there Mrs Yanti fought to return our salaries, compensation. Initially, the deduction was only around 10 percent, then it suddenly increased and the agency deducted 25 percent, so total all 35 percent, right, so it got bigger over time; there were also many unreasonable deductions,” said A.

A stated that the TPPO case is still being handled by Polda Kepri. A admitted that Iptu Yanti still provides monitoring to her.

“Mrs Yanti is good, not just during working hours; when Mrs Yanti has finished working hours, Mrs Yanti remains friendly, remains kind. Sometimes Mrs Yanti calls ‘How are you, dear? Are you healthy, any progress?’ Mrs Yanti still cares,” she said.

For A, Iptu Yanti is a caring figure. A said Iptu Yanti pays attention to the victims.

“Mrs Yanti, besides being friendly, besides being caring, Mrs Yanti, how shall I put it, basically, a good person can’t be fully expressed; just looking at her is calming; when Mrs Yanti speaks, it’s always like advice, to become better,” she said.

15 Years of Service in PPA

Iptu Yanti is also one of the candidates in the Hoengeng Corner 2025 programme. Iptu Yanti has been serving in the PPA field for more than 15 years.

“First of all, handling TPPO cases, because by chance Batam is a transit area, so there are many victims, women, and also children. Then handling PPA-related cases, victims are women, child victims,” said Iptu Yanti on the Hoengeng Corner 2025 programme, Tuesday (11/11/2025).

One of the cases that attracted public attention handled by Iptu Yanti was the exploitation of children in an orphanage. This case occurred in 2015 at one of the orphanages in Batam.

At that orphanage, around 30 children experienced violence by the female owner of the orphanage. Some children were also rented out to couples who did not yet have children.

“The children, when there were visitors, could be borrowed using these children for 3 days, a week. Or when tourists or donors came, the children were brought out. Then the children, if there were visitors, could be booked for a week, two weeks, a month, but paid. Not sexual, for example, as bait. There are visitors”