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Legal support lacking for victims of childhood sexual abuse
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As the number cases involving the sexual abuse of children has continued to rise in recent years, experts and activists have pointed to the fact that the rights of child victims and witnesses have not been comprehensively addressed in Indonesian laws and regulations. (Shutterstock/File)
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recent court ruling on child sexual abuse in Jambi province has exposed the shortcomings of Indonesian court procedures in dealing with the human impact of violence against children.
As the number cases involving the sexual abuse of children has continued to rise in recent years, experts and activists have pointed to the fact that the rights of child victims and witnesses have not been comprehensively addressed in Indonesian laws and regulations.
The lack of standards for handling legal proceedings on sexual assault cases have raised concerns among critics, particularly as it relates to trauma and accusations of victimization.
On Jan. 29, a 45-year-old civil servant from Simpang Tiga Sipin district in Jambi was acquitted on all criminal charges by the state court of Jambi. He was accused of sexually assaulting six children aged 9 to 12.
The court decision came as a shock to the local community, particularly as Jambi public prosecutors sought a six-year jail term for the man, known as Ambok Lang, for allegedly violating Law No.23/2002 on child protection.
The case was brought to the public’s attention when Ambok, who was known as an Islamic tutor in his community, was reported to the authorities for allegedly luring children into performing sexual acts in exchange for money.
The case was sent to the state court of Jambi in 2019 after six alleged child victims told their parents about their encounters with Ambok.
