T

he North Jakarta Police are investigating further into what rights activists say one of the biggest ever child molestation cases in the city.

Police have recently arrested a man identified as Syanwani, 46, suspected of sexually assaulting dozens of teenagers aged between 11 and 17 years old in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, over a period of several months.

North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Susetyo Cahyadi said on Thursday that aside from conducting a legal investigation into the case, his institution was also carrying out a scientific investigation.

'€œWe are conducting scientific verification of the case and tracing the profile of the suspect,'€ he said, adding that the investigation would also involve the National Police Forensic Laboratory.

The scientific probe, Susetyo said, was necessary to ascertain why sexual abuse offenses were rampant and recurring.

Susetyo said the suspect, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver based on Jl. Pejuang, Kelapa Gading, was so far known to have assaulted 26 teenagers.

'€œThe victims are those who have reported to us and have been provided with case dossiers,'€ he said, adding that the actual number of victims could be higher.

'€œIt is expected that more victims will file reports,'€ Susetyo said.

Only last year, the nation was shocked by the disclosure of a sexual abuse case in Sukabumi, West Java that involved over 100 victims aged between eight and 13. The perpetrator Andri Sobari alias Emon, 24, was sentenced to 17 years in prison in December.

Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) secretary Erlinda, said that with the case in Jakarta having claimed 26 victims, it could be considered one of the capital'€™s biggest child molestation cases on record.

'€œWith the number of victims, North Jakarta can be categorized as a red zone for sexual assault against children,'€ she said, adding that the figure was expected to rise further.

'€œSome of the victims and their parents are hesitant to report the matter to the police as they are embarrassed by such incidents,'€ Erlinda said.

The sexual assault case was first revealed after a local resident caught Syanwani, also known as a muazzin (a person performing the call to prayer), red-handed molesting a boy identified only by the initials BS, 12, at the Al-Barkah mushola (prayer room) on Jl. Pejuang on Aug. 2.

The witness then reported the offense to the victim'€™s parents, who reported Syanwani to the Kelapa Gading Police. The police then apprehended the suspect on Sept. 2.

During his questioning, Syawani eventually admitted that he had sexually assaulted around 10 teenagers.

Kelapa Gading Police chief Adj. Comr. Ari Nugraha said the suspect, who also claimed to be a molestation victim when he was a child, committed offences involving teenagers aged 11 to 17 years old.

'€œThe suspect said that he approached his victims by persuading them with amounts from Rp 5,000 (US$0.34) to Rp 15,000,'€ Ari said on Thursday, adding that the suspect also threatened the teenagers with physical violence.

'€œThe suspect has been committing these offense for a year,'€ he said.

In earlier investigations, Syawani had denied charges made against him.

Susetyo went on to say it was his job as an ojek driver that allowed him to prey on his victims without arousing suspicion.

'€œPeople raised no questions when looking at him taking children on the back of his bike,'€ he said.

The suspect has been charged under Article 82 of Law No. 35/2014 on child protection, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of Rp 15 billion.

To support their case, the police have seized several pieces of evidence, ranging from a pair of shorts, underwear, an undershirt and three carpets. (alm)
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