Surge in child violence signals failure of child protection ecosystem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Child welfare expert Nahar views the surge in child violence cases as a sign of the failure of the child protection ecosystem, from within the home to public spaces.

“The surge in child violence cases is a sign of the failure of the child protection ecosystem, from within the home to public spaces,” he said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday, responding to a case of violence against a child allegedly committed by a stepmother, which resulted in the victim’s death in Sukabumi Regency, West Java.

Nahar said continued efforts are needed to prevent domestic and family violence, as well as to improve the quality of parenting practices to avoid triggering problems in relationships between children and their step-parents.

“We need to build responsive environments — neighbours, schools, Islamic boarding schools, and local community units — that do not ignore signs that a child is experiencing problems at home,” said the lecturer at the Bandung Social Welfare Polytechnic (Poltekesos).

Furthermore, communities must also be capable of detecting and providing early intervention for children who have difficulty reporting their problems and seeking help, as well as providing an understanding of child vulnerability within long-standing patterns of abusive parenting.

Previously, a 12-year-old boy died allegedly as a result of abuse by his stepmother in Sukabumi Regency, West Java.

The victim died with bruising and burn wounds on his body.

The victim ordinarily resided at an Islamic boarding school. However, at the time of the incident, he was on leave to prepare for the start of the fasting month with his family.

The victim’s father, who was working in Sukabumi City at the time, received a phone call from his wife asking him to come home immediately, claiming that the victim had fallen ill.

Upon arriving home, the father rushed the victim to Jampang Kulon Hospital for medical treatment.

Tragically, the victim ultimately drew his last breath at the hospital.

Sukabumi Police suspect violence was involved in the case and have escalated it to the investigation stage.

Police are still awaiting the results of the victim’s autopsy.