Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Oversees Return of 13 Human Trafficking Victims from West Java
The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kementerian PPPA) is overseeing the process of repatriating 13 alleged victims of human trafficking (TPPO) discovered in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The victims are residents of West Java Province.
This case reaffirms that human trafficking remains a serious threat, particularly to vulnerable groups often trapped by social and economic difficulties.
Ratna Oeni Cholifah, Assistant Deputy for Services to Women Victims of Violence at the Kementerian PPPA, stated that the ministry was directly present during the victim support process upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Banten, on Wednesday, 25 February. The ministry coordinated with the West Java Provincial Technical Implementation Unit for Women and Child Protection (UPTD PPA) and the West Java Regional Police’s Directorate for Women and Child Protection and Combating Human Trafficking (Dit. PPA PPO) to provide accompaniment and specific assistance including basic necessities for the female trafficking victims.
Ratna emphasised that human trafficking is a serious crime that violates human rights, depriving victims of safety, dignity, and a dignified future. She called upon law enforcement to act firmly, professionally, and transparently to prevent similar cases from recurring.
“The Ministry encourages comprehensive case handling, beginning with physical and psychological recovery of victims, legal assistance, and sustainable fulfilment of victims’ rights through a victim-centred approach,” she stated.
In addressing human trafficking cases, the government applies Law Number 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of Human Trafficking Offences, reinforced by Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Offences (UU TPKS), which guarantees victims’ rights to comprehensive handling, protection, and recovery.
Ratna also emphasised the importance of strengthening legal processes to ensure sanctions against perpetrators have a deterrent effect.
The victims will subsequently be placed in a safe house operated by the West Java Provincial UPTD PPA for further assessment. This process aims to identify service needs, including healthcare, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and recovery and social reintegration programmes.
“We will continue strengthening cross-sectoral coordination and encourage regional governments to enhance prevention efforts, strengthen service capacity, and protect vulnerable groups from human trafficking,” she said.
Ratna stressed that prevention plays a crucial role in breaking the human trafficking cycle. Coordination between the central government, regional governments, law enforcement, and active community participation are essential to protect vulnerable populations from trafficking.
She also reminded media outlets to maintain ethical reporting standards by respecting the privacy and confidentiality of victim identities to prevent revictimisation and further psychological harm. She noted that the public can actively participate in preventing violence by reporting suspected human trafficking and other crimes through SAPA 129.