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Child sexual abuse case in East Jakarta almost settled out of court: KPAI
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Activists protest in front of the House of Representatives to demand the government pass a sexual abuse bill into law. (TRIBUNNEWS/Iwan Rismawan)
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child sexual abuse case in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, in which Tarmo, 45, was accused of assaulting a child, was almost settled out of court by residents, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) said.
KPAI commissioner, Jasra Putra, said on Friday that Tarmo, a construction worker, had allegedly abused children in his neighborhood on a couple of occasions.
Tarmo was allegedly caught abusing a 9-year-old, F, by local residents.
F, who could not be found by his family, was reported to be in Tarmo’s house.
The residents then removed F from Tarmo's house.
Instead of taking him to the police, the residents asked Tarmo to sign a letter stating that he admitted to the act and promised not repeat it in the future, Jasra said.
"We deplore that the residents chose to settle the case through the letter. This is not a petty crime but one that is punishable with 5 to 15 years in prison," he said as quoted by kompas.com.
Some residents were still afraid to report the crime to the police even though their safety would be protected under the law, Jasra added.
The residents only reported the case to Pulogadung police after learning Tarmo had fled from his house.
Tarmo was arrested by the police on Tuesday. (cal)
