Young girls told to beware of syndicate

JAKARTA (JP): Speakers at a discussion on syndicates trading in young girls urged school-aged girls in the city to beware of the upward trend in the operation of organized groups targeting young girls.

The discussion, held on Saturday, which was attended by 650 students of junior and senior high schools in East Jakarta, was held by the Association of Indonesian Women for Justice as part of its campaign to establish a nonviolent society.

The speakers featured at the discussion included lawyer Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, gynecologist Boyke Dian Nugraha, psychologist Ami Syamsidar and Capt. Elly of the city police detectives unit.

"Many young girls are not fully aware of the spread of the young girl trade in our country, especially in big cities like Jakarta, Bandung and Medan," Nursyahbani said.

In general, the girl trade is classified as an act of forcing the girls to do things, either as prostitutes, housemaids or other professions, for the benefits of those sponsoring the syndicate.

The discussion started with the presentation of a taped confession of a girl who had fallen victim to one syndicate.

"I was raped and then I was forced into prostitution. I did this for three years," the girl said.

The girl, who was only identified as a first-year junior high school student, said that she was very naive when a man asked her to go for a drink.

Unfortunately, the drink was mixed with a sedative, which made her unconscious.

She said she was forced to be photographed naked after being raped by the man.

"Initially I thought everyone was an angel. I thought the police could help me, but they couldn't. Dear friends, you should be cautious. Don't easily trust anyone. Not everyone is good and not everyone is bad," she said.

Shock

The students, who were mostly girls, expressed their surprise upon hearing the confession.

"I can't understand why the girl could make friends with such bad guy. Let me to say that men and boys nowadays are bastards," said Ainun from state junior high school SMPN 20.

She said that she once had a friend who committed suicide because she could not stand the disgrace after being raped.

"My friends, just be careful with boys," she said.

Adrita, from state junior high school SMP 49, urged the students to adopt a modest life and avoid a desire for material luxuries.

"I think teenage girls with such desires are the syndicate's targets. Even though Western styles influence our way of life greatly, it should not force us to buy luxury goods like Baby-G wristwatches or Nike shoes if we cannot afford to," said Adrita.

Capt. Elly said that members of the syndicate usually hunted for school girls who were hanging out at shopping malls.

She said that a team consisting of policewomen had been set up to raid school girls who were found loitering about in malls during school hours, to remind them of their responsibilities.

"If we find a school girl in her uniform, walking idly in a mall, we would approach her and ask her what business she had in the mall," she said.

Elly said that policewomen would urge the girls to restrain themselves from being lured and cheated.

"However, it depends on ourselves. We can't give much help if they don't want to change," she said.

She recalled a raid at Blok M Mall, South Jakarta, where 16 school girls were arrested and taken to police station. "Thirteen of them voluntarily returned to their homes but the other three refused."

"We told them that selling their bodies were sinful but they retorted: 'It's none of your business. This is my body and it's me who is responsible for it'," she said. (ivy)