More child abuse feared during crisis: Foundation

JAKARTA (JP): A foundation for children's welfare, Yayasan Kesejahteraan Anak Indonesia (YKAI), has raised fears of increasing child abuse, pointing particularly to various cases of sexual exploitation of children.

"The crisis has led to an increase of sexual exploitation of children," stated the foundation's report, which was made available to The Jakarta Post.

Among the incidents listed were the selling of teenage girls by their families in Lampung, southern Sumatra for Rp 500,000 to Rp 2.5 million each in January. In Surakarta, Central Java, a widow, 34, sold her daughter, 13, for Rp 1 million. The widow reported the sale to police when she was only paid Rp 150,000, as reported on May 2 in the local Suara Merdeka daily.

The report also cited indications of increased child prostitution, including at least 1,000 children operating in North Sumatra's streets, malls, hotels and discotheques.

YKAI said in early September that 687 incidents of child abuse were reported in the media from 1994 to 1997, including 538 involving sexual abuse. It categorized other incidents as physical abuse, 80, emotional abuse, five, and neglect, 63.

"In 1997, there was a 45 percent drop in reports of sexual exploitation (of children)," YKAI said, but argued "this was because political events were more attractive to the media."

Children were helpless, the report said, quoting research on child prostitution by Irwanto in 1998 in the West Java village of Indramayu. "Parents have the sole authority over their children and participate in all rituals... and preparation of children to become prostitutes, including taking their child's income from prostitution," YKAI reported.

The foundation defined child sexual exploitation as a sexual relationship by an adult of 18 years or older toward a child under 14. YKAI pointed out that Indonesia has ratified international children rights through a 1980 presidential decree, but urged the issuance of a Child Protection Law.

The above indications, YKAI argued, cannot be ignored because the likely affect would threaten the growth and development of children's mental and physical condition. Depression, stress, anxiety and anorexia are among the posttraumatic symptoms triggered by sexual abuse, the report said.

To reduce child abuse, YKAI has urged the government, non- governmental organizations, schools and religious institutions to support children's rights. It recommended that the government's social safety net encompass all needy people, in the form of food, medical supplies and education, to prevent, for example, families selling their children. Rehabilitation centers and child protection institutes were needed for the care of children who had become victims of child abuse. (01)