MoSA Accompanies Clients the Victims of Violence by Caregivers of Nursing Homes in Sleman

SLEMAN (4 July 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs, through Antasena Center, in collaboration with the Sleman Resort Police and the Sleman Social Service, carried out an effort to evacuate clients from Rumah Kasih Sayang (RKS) Yogyakarta who were suspected of being physically abused by caregivers/foundation administrators. The case is still under investigation by the Women and Children Police (PPA) of the Sleman Police with assistance from social workers.

As many as 8 clients of Rumah Kasih Sayang consisting of 5 men and 3 women are currently at Antasena Center and are being provided with Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) services. Six of them are under 18 years old, 1 person is 21 years old and one is 60 years old.

Based on information obtained from the RKS management, these clients are persons with special needs such as children with autism and hyperactivity. Several foundation administrators accompanied them when they were evacuated to Antasena Center in Magelang.

Arif Nurhidayat, Head of Subdivision of Administration at Antasena Magelang, said that his party is ready to provide psychosocial support and assistance to victims to expedite the process of investigating and disclosing cases. It also protects victims from possible trauma and restores their psychological and social conditions. "If you need a safe place/house, we are ready to facilitate it," he said.

When picking up clients at Rumah Kasih Sayang, Antasena team was accompanied by officers from the Sleman Resort Police (Polres). "In investigating this case, we ask for help from the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Social Service by providing psychosocial assistance so that the victim can be calmer, not feeling under pressure so that she can provide the truth," said Yunanto Kukuh Prabowo, Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Sleman Police.

"We have to solve this case, for that we need cooperation and support from various parties including the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Antasena Magelang Center. With this support, it is hoped that the legal process can run smoothly," explained Eko Suhargono, Head of the Sleman Regency Social Service who also assisted in the evacuation process activities.