Number of Child Violence Cases in Balikpapan Rises to 132

The number of child violence cases in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, has increased to 132 as of July 2026, up from 122 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. The data was revealed by the Head of the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Agency (DP3AKB) of Balikpapan, Nursyamsiarni D Larose, during a commemoration of National Children’s Day (HAN) 2026 held on Thursday (23/7). The event, which took place at Balikpapan City Hall, was combined with a meeting of the Child-Friendly City (KLA) Task Force and advocacy for child protection, attended by academics, psychologists, and various stakeholders. Nursyamsiarni noted that beyond physical violence, children in Balikpapan are also facing new threats, including exposure to terrorism ideologies through social media. She clarified that these cases were not driven by religious doctrine but by children accessing inappropriate digital content. She also highlighted the ongoing prevalence of child sexual abuse within communities, stressing the urgent need to strengthen education, communication, and cross-sector synergy for child protection. The hybrid event was officially opened by Vice Mayor Bagus Susetyo, who emphasised that children are the nation’s greatest asset and investment, making their protection a shared responsibility. He stated that the Child-Friendly City status is not merely a title but a tangible commitment to fulfilling children’s rights. Bagus acknowledged persistent challenges including violence, early marriage, exploitation, trafficking, bullying, and misuse of digital technology, calling for stronger preventive measures through education, mentoring, and family resilience. He outlined the city’s efforts to maintain its Child-Friendly City status, including regulatory development, creating child-friendly play spaces, and strengthening the KLA Task Force to fulfil the five clusters of children’s rights: civil rights, family environment, health, education, and special protection. He urged all community elements to actively pioneer and report any instances of child violence.