Police Struggle to Probe Sexual Assault Case in Bekasi, Victim Still a Toddler

Bekasi City Metropolitan Police are finding it difficult to investigate a case of sexual assault in Bintara, West Bekasi District, because the victim is still a toddler. ‘Our obstacle also arises when the child is not yet able to speak to provide a complete account of the chronology,’ said Kompol Rosdiana, head of the Women and Children’s Protection Unit (PPA-PPO) of the Bekasi City Metropolitan Police, to Kompas.com on Thursday (5 March 2026). Kompol Rosdiana stressed that investigators must be very careful in naming a suspect in cases involving a child, who is referred to as A (1.9). ‘For handling children we must be extremely careful about naming someone as a suspect. Because solid evidence is indeed required,’ Rosdiana said. This condition prevents investigators from immediately naming someone as a suspect without further in-depth investigation. ‘For that, the suspect has not yet been asked for a statement. We have not yet delved into the witnesses’ statements as to how they will testify,’ she said. Regarding information that the alleged offender moved from a rented house, Rosdiana said this is still part of the investigation process. ‘Regarding the alleged offender’s relocation, its relevance to this case is still under investigation. We are also still delving into the witnesses first,’ she said. ‘So, when handling sexual assault cases, the first step is to receive the report, then perform a medical examination, and then obtain statements from the complainant and witnesses related to the case,’ Rosdiana said. Rosdiana said that the victim A has undergone a medical examination as part of the investigation. She confirmed that the case remains in the investigation stage to determine whether it can be escalated to the prosecution stage. ‘And later, whether it can progress to the ’sidik’ stage or whatever, we will see how developments unfold,’ she added.