Kupang (November 1st, 2023) – Efata Center in Kupang holds a discussion on children's sexual harassment and abuse, and the handling of the negative impacts towards the victim.

The purpose of the focus group discussion is as a means of multi-party communication to organize the action to prevent and handle the impacts of sexual harassment and abuse in East Nusa Tenggara Province.

“East Nusa Tenggara is one of the provinces that has high child sexual abuse. It happens due to the less distributed children’s excess energy that causes negative things,” head of Administrative Sub-division of Efata Center in Kupang Tota Oceana Zonneveld said. 

Secretary of Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation Salahuddin Yahya said that positive activities for children should be held. “Activities such as sports or arts tournaments in the Center as one of the means to channel the excess energy. Thus, it won’t cause a negative impact,” Salahuddin said.

On the occasion, Director of Directorate of Children Social Rehabilitation and the social worker of Directorate of Children Social Rehabilitation delivered the materials to guide the discussion.

The participants actively participate in question-and-answer sessions. Moreover, the participants also reveal, write, and map the obstacles and threats, potential, prevention, and handling of child sexual abuse.

The representative of Regional Police, Social Office, Education Office, Population and Civil Registration Office, Health Office, Women Empowerment and Children Protection Office, regional office of Ministry of Religious Office in the governments of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Kupang City, Kupang Regency, and South Timor Tengah are present in the discussion held in the Hall of Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Efata Center in Kupang. 

Religious leaders, public figures, social welfare institutions (LKS), journalists, businesses, academics, professional staff (psychiatrists and psychologists), and other stakeholders are also present.