BATAM (MARCH 21, 2023) - The Ministry of Social Affairs has responded quickly to a case of rape against a minor. Under the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, the team conducted an assessment and carried out comprehensive treatment for the victim.

The Ministry of Social Affairs team consisting of the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation, Abiseka Center in Pekanbaru, and the Ministry of Social Affairs Public Relations together with the Batam City Social Office visited the victim's family.

The team conveyed to the victim's family that the purpose of visitation was to assist. Victim J is currently 19 years old and lives with her biological father's family.

"We are concerned about this incident. Following the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs, we will assist," said the Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi.

J was a victim of rape by her stepfather A (39 years old) until she became pregnant. The intercourse occurred for 5 years since grade 3 of junior high school.

This case was revealed after J told the chronology of the incident to her cousin, RS (29 years old), the son of the victim's biological mother's uncle who reported the incident to the police station in January 2023.

The perpetrator also tried to harass the victim's younger sibling Z (16 years old), but she was able to fight back and survived.

"Our family thanks the Ministry for coming here," said R (40 years old), the victim's uncle.

In addition to visiting the victim's residence, the team led by the Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi, also visited the Batu Ampar Police Office to find out the legal progress of the case.

Information was obtained from the Investigators (Briptu F Firnando and Bripka Rahmadi) that the current status of the case is at stage 2 and is just waiting for the trial schedule. The perpetrator is threatened with the heaviest sentence of 20 years in prison and has now been transferred to detention.

From the medical examination, it was discovered that the victim was HIV positive which was transmitted from the perpetrator.

"During the examination at the hospital, we received information that the victim was HIV positive from the perpetrator," said Bripka Rahmadi when met at Batu Ampar Police.

The team then provided assistance by taking the victim and her family to the Budi Kemuliaan Hospital in Batam to check the pregnancy which is currently entering its eighth month. "The results show that the baby is healthy with development according to the gestational age," said one of the Ministry of Social Affairs team.

The results of the psychiatrist's examination stated that the victim's current condition is depressed and requires regular follow-up examinations, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also working with psychiatrists at the Batam Business Agency Hospital to provide assistance and reinforcement to the victim so that she does not experience trauma.

In addition, access to psychological services for J has also been carried out by the Batam City Government.

On the same occasion, the Director of Child Social Rehabilitation, Kanya Eka Santi, Host of Communities, Batam City Social Office, and Social Rehabilitation Companions at the victim's residence were also present.

"Minister of Social Affairs directed me and the team here to meet with J, and indeed the Minister of Social Affairs paid a lot of attention to this case. We have also come to the police to ensure that the perpetrator is given the appropriate punishment because he has ruined the child's future," said Kanya.

The Host of Communities who is also a relative of the victim's family expressed his gratitude for having been cared for so far and ensured that the family is also monitoring the victim's development.

"On behalf of the family, I would like to thank the Ministry of Social Affairs for their assistance, because perhaps without the support and encouragement from them, we would not know what to do. So once again, as the Host of Communities and the family, I would like to thank the Ministry of Social Affairs," said the Host of Communities.

Kanya also appreciated the family's courage to report. The Ministry will continue to monitor the victim's development until she gives birth, which is estimated to be around May 2023.

"We thank you very much, sir, for daring to report. We will also assist in the trial. We also have to ensure that the victim's condition will be good until she gives birth," added Kanya. In addition, the team also visited one of the Senior High Schools in Batam City which was the victim's school to collect the diplomas that were still being held up due to arrears in education fees.

Ministry of Social Affairs through Pekanbaru Abiseka Center assisted i.e. decent living components consisting of nutritional needs, basic necessities, personal hygiene equipment, and financing for school payments, as well as assistance to the hospital for physical and mental health checks for victims by professionals, with total assistance of IDR6,534,210.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia