Teenager in Sukabumi Allegedly Killed by Stepmother, Child Abuse Case Highlighted
The case of the death of a boy with initials NS (12 years old) in Sukabumi, West Java, allegedly subjected to abuse by his stepmother, has triggered widespread concern. Amidst police investigation proceedings, a paediatrician specialising in child development and social paediatrics has highlighted the impacts of violence on child development and mental health.
Dr Bernie Endyarni Medise, Sp.A (K), MPH, a paediatric specialist consultant in child development and social paediatrics subspecialisation, explained the various forms of violence against children that can have real health impacts on victims.
“Violence against children comes in four types: physical violence, sexual violence, emotional violence, and neglect or abandonment. There are also cases involving child trafficking,” she said to the media in Jakarta on Monday (23 February 2026).
Regarding the Sukabumi case, she assessed that the allegations appeared to point towards physical violence, which may also have involved emotional abuse. According to Dr Bernie, physical violence against children can be fatal, depending on its severity.
“With physical violence alone, the outcome can be death, disability, or requiring hospitalisation. It depends on how severe the violence is,” she stated.
In the Sukabumi case, police findings from medical examination revealed abrasions, second-degree burns, and bruising indicating blunt trauma. Meanwhile, autopsy results cited the cause of death as still under investigation.
Psychological Impact Equally Severe
Beyond the physical, Dr Bernie emphasised that all forms of violence against children—whether physical, sexual, emotional, or neglect—invariably leave long-term impacts. Children who experience violence, she continued, can display trauma symptoms such as excessive fear, nightmares, frequent night-time waking, and fear of certain people or places.
“Trauma will have a very significant impact on the child. Especially at 12 years old, already in adolescence. As long as they remain children, the impact can continue to be carried with them,” she explained.
She added that trauma treatment must be tailored to the child’s age. For younger children, there is a need for caregivers or other family members to take over responsibility for providing a sense of safety and comfort.
In some cases, support from healthcare professionals and psychologists is also needed to prevent prolonged trauma. Equally concerning, Dr Bernie warned of the risk of repeated cycles of abuse.
“An abused child sometimes can become an abuser when they grow up. This is something we must guard against so their mental health remains good and they do not become perpetrators in the future,” she stressed.