Ministry calls for stronger community-based child protection groups following Sukabumi abuse death

The ministry’s Acting Deputy of Special Protection for Children, Indra Gunawan, when contacted here on Monday, explained that this step is needed to bolster the education for the public through various channels, including religious activities.

Apart from that, he said, those groups can also respond to cases of violence by referring the victims to the nearest service centers.

This statement was made in response to the death of a 12-year-old boy in Sukabumi District, West Java, who allegedly suffered severe abuse at the hands of his stepmother.

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection condemned the actions of the stepmother, whose alleged acts of violence left the victim with bruises and burn marks across his body.

The ministry urged the public to play an active role in preventing violence by reporting any suspected cases of violence against women and children.

Gunawan noted that reports can be submitted through the 129 hotline, via WhatsApp at 08111-129-129, or through the website laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id.

According to him, the family should be a place where children feel safe and comfortable.

“The family must be the environment where children can expect to feel safe and comfortable, so they can grow optimally,” he stressed.

Earlier, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) recorded 2,031 cases of child rights violations involving 2,063 victims throughout 2025, marking an approximately 3 percent increase from the previous year.

These figures were compiled from complaints filed by 1,508 individuals, with the majority of cases involving physical, psychological, and sexual violence, as well as issues within the educational environment.

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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji