MoSA Will Relocate Father's Rape Victims in Halmahera Utara to Treat Trauma and Provide Security

TERNATE (10 August 2023) - The Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, paid a visit to two youngsters from Halmahera Utara who had been raped by their biological father. For safety and trauma treatment, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) persuaded the victims and their biological mother to agree to be relocated.

Victim J (19) has experienced sexual violence by her biological father since 2019, and his younger sister G (17) has experienced a similar incident since 2021. Not only were they subjected to sexual assault, but they were also subjected to physical violence.

The victim's biological mother was aware of the incident, but she did not dare to file the case because she was being persecuted and threatened. The victim's mother often experiences domestic violence by the perpetrator. This is what the Minister is paying attention to.

"I happened to read about the case and discovered that the victim's mother had been threatened. I came to make the victim feel safe and no longer threatened," the Minister told the journalists at the Wasana Bahagia Center in Ternate, on Wednesday (9/8).

The Minister met with the Governor of North Maluku, Abdul Ghani Kasuba, and other members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), encouraging the victim's mother to agree to be relocated to a safer location. Relocation is necessary for the family's psychological recovery.

The Mayor of Ternate, M Tauhid Suleman, who was also present, promised to assist in moving the victim and her younger sibling's school to Ternate. Meanwhile, if the family wishes to be relocated, North Maluku Regional Police Chief Inspector General Midi Siswoko and Military District Commander (Dandim) 1501/Ternate Lt. Col. (Inf) Jamet Nijo would ensure their safety.

"Thank God, from the discussion, I have spoken with the mother and her children, so we will have solutions to handle this because, coincidentally, one of her children is pregnant, so we must handle it together," the Minister stated.

MoSA already responded to the case against this family, which was in the press on July 18, 2023, through the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation and the Wasana Bahagia Center in Ternate.

Aside from a psychosocial assessment, MoSA's staff examined the two victims and their mother for obstetrics and gynecology, as well as laboratory tests to determine whether there was a virus in the victims' bodies. Aside from that, the victim's younger sister's health was also examined. The two victims and their biological mother were also referred to a mental health professional to assess the psychological damage they were experiencing.

MoSA advocates for J and G to continue their education; visits the victim's school to ensure that the school supports and facilitates the victim's education; coordinates with the Social Office regarding Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) and health insurance coverage (PBI JK); and meets with local officials to provide support to the victim's family.

MoSA's staff also provides direct therapeutic and psychosocial assistance through hypnotherapy and art therapy. Hypnotherapy is used to boost feelings of serenity and self-acceptance. Then art therapy is used to assist in managing the predominate feelings of grief, rage, and humiliation.

Aside from that, victims are provided therapy and psychoeducation about their current situation so that they can accept themselves and remain hopeful about their future. The victim's mother was also encouraged to persevere through the judicial process.

Meanwhile, the victim, her sister and her cousin received Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) in the form of school supplies, clothing, additional nutrition, personal hygiene equipment and educational games. The victim's mother received assistance in the form of a mattress and ATENSI Entrepreneurship in the form of a coffee shop near the port. This entrepreneur package includes a one-year lease on a shop as well as coffee-making tools and materials. The victim's grandma also received entrepreneurial aid in the form of additional funds for her grocery stall. Mattresses and pillows were also given to the victim's grandma.

As for the legal process, MoSA has worked with law enforcement officials so that the perpetrators can be punished to the maximum extent. Including an additional sentence of 1/3 because the perpetrator is family.