HARSHER SANCTION FOR CHILD SEX OFFENDER

HARSHER SANCTION FOR CHILD SEX OFFENDER

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/20/your-letters-harsher-sanctions-child-sex-abusers.html

A slew of child sex abuse cases have sent the nation tethering with horror. Only days after we learn the horror of sexual violence committed in one of supposedly prestigious international school that sparked nationwide outcries, another horrific serial rapist in Sukabumi outrages us. More cases are making headlines.

With the sheer volume, the sheer number of incidents in which this man molested, is staggering. More than a hundred boys age between 7 and 13 have fallen victims into the beastial lust of the 24 years old Emon. It surprises me that somehow this was not picked up by someone earlier before it erupted.

The lewd and lascivious behavior is shocking. It cast a nightmarish outlook just how fragile the security over our children was. It is as shocking as William Vahey case, the most prolific pedophile who was free to satiate his lewd behaviors over children for almost 45 years without any authority detected it. He even went under the radar to teach in prestigious international schools in various countries, including in Indonesia.

As in Emon case, this most prolific pedophile in memory of our nation has set off a crisis in the close-knit community of Sukabumi where horrified parents even came to a great extent by using violence to make their children confess that they may have been victims of this nice regular neighbor.

Our hearts mourn and wail in deep agony. We are mad with fiery fury. We curse the perpetrators. We abhor their heinous crimes. We walk with downcast eyes because we as part of the community fail to protect these innocent children.

One vital question remains unanswered: is there no longer a safe place for our children to play? When not even a sacred place as school or revered persons as teachers, clerics, reverends or even the closest family members could safeguard their sanctity.

I remember when was a kid the only monsters we should be afraid of are those otherworldly beings as described in the local urban legend or the witch and step moms as in most fairy tales as in Cinderella or Snow White. The only movie I watched on child violence abuse during my childhood was Ari Hanggara. The film was about a wicked stepmom derived from true story. In my childish idea, step mom and demons were the only real danger preying on helpless little children.

I was wrong and naïve.

I guess as time went by, the world is getting old but the evil dwelling in human heart intensifies. The evil becomes as primal and carnal as the ancient sins. We as parents or members of the larger community are often naive while sexual predators are getting smarter, extremely cunning and often individuals we least expect would commit such crimes.

How often, we are thunderstruck to learn that the alleged perpetrators turn out to be the well-respected pillars of the community. They develop elaborate schemes and go to great extents to do anything to get access to children.

These scums know parents are worried about strangers and less worried about their close relatives, teachers or any other well-respected individuals. Parents sometimes don’t realize how devious these vermins can be. The best offense is a great defense. Understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse might keep our children be safe.

It is confounding to learn that most child sexual abuse, up to 90%, occurs with someone a child has an established and trusting relationship with, whether known or not by the parent, and who is often a person in a position of authority. The National Commission for Child Protection (Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia) said it received about 3,000 reports of sexual abuse of minors nationwide in 2013, double the figure from five years ago, with 30 percent of cases reported to have occurred at schools. The case of Wiliam Vahey, JIS, and Emon are only the tip of the iceberg

Considering the extreme injuries physically and psychologically inflicted on these children, it is mind boggling to know that the maximum sentence for a child-sex offender in Indonesia is 15 years and a fine of up to $26,000. Worse, in most of those convicted typically only receive three to five years in jail. In addition, there's not a policy to publicly list these convicts as registered sex offenders, and tag the list to the community as a warning of the threat. This leniency thus far has no deterrent effects.

We are left bewildering to find out that last year; KPAI has declared rising figures of child rape a national emergency, yet no authority seemed to pay it any heed. It has taken the incidents at JIS, an elite school attended largely by foreign children, and propelled by Emon case in Sukabumi - to amplify calls for tougher sentencing of convicted pedophiles.

Even The President called for a tougher sanction and action to prevent such incident to happen again. Related authority is now on the move to revise the Law on Child Protection to formulate heavier punishment for child sex offenders.

Then, as parents or those who have little children under their care, while waiting for law to be revised, we should take any necessary prevention actions to prevent such incident ever happen to our precious ones. As child sexual abuse continues to rise, parents are now starting to apply the underwear rule. These rules help protect child from abuse. It is a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from abuse - without using scary words or mentioning sex.

We are sick with worries in protecting our kids from the terrible things to happen. Sexual abuse is one of the most horrific incidents. We support the government move to revise the Law on child protection. We pray the process could be expedited. Any sex offenders should be punished with heavy sanction of chemically castrated or sends to the firing squad.