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Police vow to enforce stricter rules on sexual violence
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Protestors carry posters condemning sexual violence at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta on May 15. The protesters demanded that the government crack down on sexual violence against women and children following recent cases of rape and murder in several areas in Indonesia. (Antara/Teresia May)
T
he police have asserted their readiness to implement a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on sexual violence against children that includes tougher sentences for offenders.
“The police have conducted significant actions in investigating cases of sexual violations that involve children as the victims,” National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said in Jakarta on Friday.
Since 2014, the police had assigned at least two female officers in each sub-precinct across the country, Boy said, adding that those officers played an important role in dealing with the victims.
“The female police officers are expected to smoothen the questioning of child victims of sexual abuse,” Boy added.
The Perppu issued earlier this week stipulates a minimum prison sentence of 10 years (and a maximum of 20 years) plus additional forms of punishment, such as chemical castration and the use of electronic tags.
Boy said the police, in cooperation with local governments across the country, were making serious efforts to prevent and fight sexual child abuse.
Some regional administrations give special attention to children dropping out from school, according to the spokesman.
“Local administrations are organizing character-building programs for dropout children, because children who lack attention from their surrounding may become victims of sexual abuse,” Boy explained.
Boy said the police would also go ahead with two campaigns aimed at gaining the trust of children and at helping teachers anticipate sexual violence at school.
Boy added that the police had also expressed their commitment to assist prosecutors in criminal proceedings, for instance when a prosecutor needed medical professionals to carry out chemical castration. (bbn)
