MoSA Ensures to Fulfill the Rights of Rape Victims in Batang Regency

BATANG (29 April 2023) - The rape case against 15 female students at an Islamic boarding school in Batang Regency, Central Java, has received serious attention from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). At the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, the ranks of the Ministry of Social Affairs responded quickly.

At the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs, the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation and the Kartini Integrated Center in Temanggung carried out a comprehensive assessment of the victims. The MoSA team also carried out intensive coordination with various related parties, such as local government, law enforcement and the health team.

This coordination is carried out to provide victims' rights, namely legal protection and justice, physical and psychological health and the continuation of their education.

"MoSA also carries out intensive psychological treatment in the form of trauma healing, team building, counseling and hypnotherapy to help release negative emotions, stabilize emotions and strengthen the psychological condition of victims. Victims are also given education on how to avoid violence so that it does not happen again," said the Head of the Integrated Center Kartini in Temanggung Iyan Kusmadiana (29/04).

Other than focusing on handling victims, MoSA also pays attention to the victims' families. Psychosocial strengthening support is provided to the victim's family in the form of counseling and education on future child care.

MoSA also distributes Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) to victims to fulfill a decent life. Assistance in the form of basic necessities (rice, eggs, oil, sardines), nutrition (milk, vitamins, biscuits, honey, green beans, brown sugar), cleaning supplies, school supplies (notebooks, pens, drawing books, colored pencils, bags, shoes), clothes and personal notebooks. The total amount of this assistance is IDR 16,813,500.

For the 2 adult victims, MoSA conducted an entrepreneurship assessment to prepare them to take part in vocational sewing training at the Kartini Integrated Center. In the future, they will be given a set of sewing tools to develop their business.

MoSA together with local governments, social companions and related parties continue to monitor the psychological condition of victims, ensure victims continue their education, monitor the legal process and encourage empowerment for adult victims.

This rape case was revealed after 5 students reported the vile actions of the owner and teacher of the Islamic boarding school to the police on April 2 2023.