T

he government’s hard-line approach to sexual violence against children has failed to discourage the brutality as more rape cases have occurred this month.

While the government has announced plans to take bold steps against child rapists by giving out harsh punishments that can go as far as death, young Indonesians continue to be preyed upon.

In Semarang, Central Java, six male individuals, five of them minors, persuaded and seduced a 12-year-old girl, still in the sixth grade, to have sex. The sexual abuse began in early May and took place in four locations in Pedurungan, Semarang, Central Java.

The victim’s father lodged a report on Monday with the Semarang Police that a man had taken his daughter.

“We are holding the six suspects. They committed the sexual assault with persuasion and seduction. There was no compulsion so it’s not a case of rape,” said Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Burhanuddin in Semarang on Tuesday.

He added that the girl’s parents were divorced and she lived with her father.

She had left school before the crime took place and was reportedly often left alone.

Five of the suspects are aged 14 or 15 years old, while the other suspect is 36-year-old NM.

Semarang Police crime investigation unit chief Comr. Sukiyono said the police arrested the six suspects on Tuesday at around 2 a.m.

“We initially arrested eight people, but two were not involved so we released them. All of them are school dropouts and unemployed,” he added.

Burhanuddin said the number of suspects might increase based on statements from the detained suspects. The suspects will be charged under the Child Protection Law.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has inked a regulation in lieu of a law (Perppu) that could lead to child rapists being chemically castrated or even executed, penalties that have quickly drawn controversy.

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has voiced concern over the ethics of doctors performing the castration procedure and has recommended that the government focus on rehabilitating the perpetrators.

But as cases continue to emerge, questions have been raised about the nation’s ability to protect its children.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, a 7-year-old girl was reportedly raped on Monday afternoon.

The victim was still undergoing treatment at the Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Makassar as of Tuesday. Besides genital wounds, she is also undergoing mental treatment as she was traumatized by the attack.

Makassar Police crime investigation unit chief Comr. Tri Hambodo confirmed on Tuesday the medical examination conducted by the Bhayangkara Hospital medical team indicated that the victim had suffered sexual violence, which resulted in genital injuries.

According to Tri, the perpetrator used a finger but failed to rape the victim because she struggled and screamed, so the perpetrator fled.

Police are still pursuing the perpetrator. His identity remains unknown, because police investigators could not question the victim extensively due to her unstable psychological condition. The victim claimed not to know the perpetrator. However, she remembered some of his traits.

“We are sure the offender is an adult male. We are pursuing the perpetrator. We are confident that we can find him soon,” said Tri.

The victim was found in a troubled state in a vacant house on Jl. Paropo, Makassar, by housewife Suharti, 50, who happened to pass by the dilapidated house. The victim was leaning against a wall, crying and frightened.

She was immediately taken to her home. The case was immediately reported to the Panakkukang District Police, who then handed the case over to the Makassar Police.