LPSK receives three protection requests in child abuse case in Tual
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) has received three protection requests related to an alleged assault case that resulted in the death of a child identified as AT in Tual City, Maluku, and has undertaken proactive steps to reach witnesses and the victim’s family.
LPSK Deputy Chair Susilaningtias stated that the agency has received three protection request files from parties directly connected to the incident, namely a witness-victim, a witness, and the victim’s family.
“This incident constitutes alleged assault that resulted in serious injury and caused death. In this context, witnesses and the victim’s family have the right to obtain protection and services from LPSK,” Susilaningtias said in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The protection requests submitted include procedural rights services in the form of court accompaniment during legal proceedings and psychological rehabilitation for the victim and family.
In addition to receiving protection requests, LPSK also analysed threats to map potential social vulnerabilities that might emerge from the incident, including the risk of horizontal conflict triggered by ethnicity, religion, race, and communal (SARA) issues.
According to Susilaningtias, the findings from this analysis have been shared during coordination with Tual Police to anticipate broader social impacts in the community.
She explained that from the perspective of witness and victim protection, the incident constitutes alleged assault that caused serious injury leading to death of a child.
Besides the deceased victim, the victim’s sibling, who is also a witness, suffered serious injury in the form of a fracture to the right hand.
Based on coordination with law enforcement officials, the suspected perpetrator, identified as a Brimob member, has been secured by Tual Police and subsequently transferred to the Maluku Police Regional Command for investigation by the Professional Standards and Security Division (Propam).
LPSK’s proactive approach began with outreach by the Witness and Victim Friends (SSK) division in Maluku to obtain initial information whilst building communication with the victim’s family. LPSK also coordinated with Tual Police, Maluku Police Regional Command through Propam, the Social Services Office, and the Women and Child Protection Technical Implementation Unit in Tual City.
The coordination also highlighted the shortage of forensic psychologists in the region to support the victim’s family. LPSK has indicated willingness to facilitate forensic psychological support provided there are formal requests from relevant agencies and approval from the victim or family.
The provision of protection in this case is implemented based on the mandate of Law Number 13 Year 2006 concerning Witness and Victim Protection, as amended by Law Number 31 Year 2014, and Law Number 35 Year 2014 concerning Child Protection.