MAKASSAR (APRIL 2, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini directly observed the condition of a child victim of her stepfather's rape that happened in North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. Social Affairs Minister Risma met the victims, her mother, and siblings at Sentra Wirajaya Makassar on Monday (1/4).

Indo, the mother of the victims, admitted that she was very touched that the Minister of Social Affairs and her staff intervened to help them recover from the ‘disaster’ that hit them.

"I am very touched that the Minister helped and met us, I did not expect it at all," Indo said emotionally.

When she learned about the rape case that happened in Morowali through the media, Social Affairs Minister Risma immediately directed her staff to help the victims recover and help their families to reorganize their lives.

Not only the victim, the victim's mother was also devastated by the incident. In addition to committing immoral acts against the victims, the perpetrator also often committed acts of violence against the victim's mother who was his wife. The perpetrator also often pressured the victim and demanded money from her. This caused the victim to go into debt to a chicken supplier and it hampered his broiler business.

To help the victim and her family, the Ministry of Social Affairs provided some assistance such as repaying Indo's mother's debt to a chicken supplier of Rp 9,225,000. Also given entrepreneurial assistance for food stalls and broiler chicken, basic necessities, nutrition, and school supplies and ATENSI assistance. The total value of the assistance is Rp 25,025,000. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs also brought the victim and her mother to undergo a psychological examination at Kolonodale Hospital, North Morowali Regency.

Responding to the many rape cases committed by the closest person, for example in Morowali, Social Affairs Minister Risma appealed to parents to keep paying attention not only to their children but also to the conditions of the surrounding environment.

"When we have children, we have to keep in touch. We must continue to take care, we must pay attention to environmental conditions, surrounding conditions," said Risma.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of providing an understanding of what can and cannot be done to children. The physical condition of today's children whose mature quickly is not necessarily balanced with their readiness of their mental maturity and maturity of thought. Therefore, the role of parents is very important to provide limits on anything that can or can’t do by them.