Yogyakarta City Government Monitors Restitution for Victims of Little Aresha Daycare Case, Legal Team Formed to Accompany Until Final Verdict

The Yogyakarta City Government has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the fulfilment of victims’ rights in the alleged violence and neglect case at Little Aresha Daycare, including ensuring that restitution or compensation is met. Currently, the City Government has formed a legal team that will accompany the victims until the legal process attains final and binding force.

The victims’ parents were also gathered at the Yogyakarta City Hall Complex on Wednesday (6/5/2026) to learn about the progress of handling the case. One of the main concerns is the fulfilment of restitution or compensation rights.

“We aim to take the most optimal legal steps possible. We are also providing legal advocacy services and accompaniment until the verdict is final. Moreover, this is on a pro bono basis, meaning no fees are charged to the victims’ parents in assisting with this case,” said the Head of the Legal Aid and Human Rights Working Team of the Yogyakarta City Secretariat, Saverius Vanny Noviandri, to reporters at the City Hall on Wednesday (6/5/2026).

There are at least three key focuses that his team is emphasising in the legal accompaniment related to the alleged violence and neglect case at Little Aresha Daycare. The first is how to maximise personal accountability, whether as caregivers, the school principal, or others.

Based on the team’s in-depth investigation, there are suspected violations of the Child Protection Law, the Criminal Code (KUHP), and the Health Law. The second focus is on corporate accountability, as the daycare is under a foundation.

“There is the Foundation Law, and of course, there are provisions that will be examined for any violations. Moreover, there is now corporate criminal liability in the KUHP, where a foundation is considered one of the corporations,” he stated.

“One form of punishment for a corporation is compensation and even the dissolution of the corporation; if the requirements are met, we will certainly pursue it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the third focus is the fulfilment of restitution rights for the victims. Given that the KUHP and the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) guarantee compensation from the perpetrators of criminal acts to the victims.

“We are also monitoring the restitution issue and will collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that these restitution rights are fulfilled,” he said.