Ministry of Social Affairs Provides Assistance to Children Victims of Violence in Gowa

SUNGGUMINASA (5 September 2021) - Responding to reports of children being victims of violence by their biological parents. The victim with the initials M (6) was abused by HS (43) Biological mother, TU (47) Biological father, grandmother, BS (70) grandfather, and SU's uncle, having their address in Gowa Regency.

Chronology of the incident M was abused by his biological mother by gouging out his eyes. In acting, the perpetrator (the mother) was assisted by her husband, Grandpa and Grandma, and her uncle who held the head. M rebelled and shouted so that his other uncle, named Bayu, could hear him. According to the victim's uncle Bayu, after he and his family buried the victim's brother who died the day before, he heard the screams of a small child asking for help, finally, he was with community leaders,

Religious leaders, residents, and security officers from the village apparatus went straight to the victim's house. Bayu immediately rescued the victim and took him to the nearest Puskesmas, which was then referred to the RSUD, while the perpetrators, namely the parents and grandparents of the victim were immediately secured at the Tinggimoncong Police Station and are currently undergoing a mental examination.

Following up on the results of the case response carried out by the Social Worker, Christiana Junus, the Head of the Toddopuli Center in Makassar, together with Bambang Tri Hartono, the Head of the Section for Social Rehabilitation Services visited the victim's child at the hospital accompanied by Ridwan, Sakti Peksos (Social Worker Service Unit) Gowa Regency.

According to Christiana, we were instructed directly by the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, to immediately help the victims, for that we came to bring Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) in the form of basic needs for children, toiletries, worship equipment, school supplies, and also drawing tools.

We will continue to assist victims. We have collaborated with HIMPSI to provide Psychological Assistance to children. Chris also offered to provide alternative care by the victim's next of kin.

According to Bayu, M still keeps his distance from other people, because he is traumatized by what has happened to him. He just wants to be with me and his aunt, he doesn't want to be close to other families. We need help with medicine and hospital costs because they are not covered by BPJS. This child needs surgery for his eyes.