P

olice in Aceh have detained Brig. M, a member of the Aceh Police'€™s special intelligence unit, in relation to the alleged sexual abuse of two elementary school students. The allegations came to light after the students'€™ parents reported the matter.

The suspected victims, using the assumed names of Bunga and Mawar, are aged 7 and 9 respectively and are said to be suffering from trauma as a result of the suspected sexual abuse.

Banda Aceh Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sugeng HS said that, following reports from the public, police immediately investigated the member of the police and named him a suspect on Wednesday.

'€œLast night we conducted a lengthy and extensive examination until 2 a.m., and at 8 a.m. the next day we immediately issued a warrant of arrest,'€ said Sugeng.

After the allegations were reported to authorities on April 14, the police reportedly attempted to cover up the case. However, following pressure from various parties, the police revealed details of the case including the identity of the suspected perpetrator, who is currently in active service at the Aceh Police headquarters.

It was initially suspected that Brig. M had sexually abused five underage children, but only two reports have been filed with the police so far.

During investigations, the suspect refused to admit to any wrongdoing and denied all of the allegations made by the two alleged victims.

If Brig. M is proven guilty, he will be charged with violating Law No. 23/2002 on child protection and could face a prison sentence of 15 years. The case is currently being handled exclusively by the Aceh Police.

Police have urged anyone who believes other children may have been the victim of sexual abuse from the suspect '€” especially those living in the same areas as the other alleged victims '€” to file reports.

'€œ[Potential] victims should not hesitate and not be afraid to report to us,'€ said Sugeng.

Relatives of the alleged victims have reportedly said they hope the perpetrator receives a harsh punishment because he is a member of a law enforcement institution who should have provided protection to members of the community.

The sister of one of the alleged victims, using the assumed name of Dita, said her younger sister remained traumatized by the ordeal and refused to attend school, as it is located not far from the alleged perpetrator'€™s house.

'€œAccording to my little sister, the perpetrator often sexually abused her on her way home from school, by luring her with money,'€ said Dita.

According to the Children'€™s Legal Aid Institute (LBH Anak), the number of sexual abuse cases against children reported in Aceh has increased significantly in recent years.

In 2012, the Banda Aceh chapter of LBH Anak handled 10 sexual abuse cases. The number of cases rose to 12 in 2013. As of April this year, LBH Anak has handled 13 child sexual abuse cases.

The regencies and cities in which reports of child sexual abuse have been most prevalent in 2014 are Banda Aceh and North Aceh regencies, both with three cases, followed by Aceh Tamiang and Lhokseumawe, each with two cases, and Aceh Besar and Pidie, with one case each.

'€œVarious factors lead to sexual abuse against children, including a lack of parental supervision and [a lack of] awareness about prevention,'€ said Ikhsan Zakaria, child social counseling division head at the Banda Aceh chapter of LBH Anak.