Apart from being a sex object, FA was also fed drugs and died

“This sexual crime must be treated seriously with maximum penalties. "For this reason, every time there is a case like this, all related parties, including hotel owners and application providers for open BO (online booking) must be investigated," said Nahar, Deputy Special Protection for Children, Ministry of PPPA, Saturday (27/4/2024) in Jakarta.

Also read: Children in a Circle of Violence

If the case meets criminal elements, Nahar urges the police to take swift action against those parties as they can be categorized as instigators and even be interpreted as ordering criminal acts.

"In this case, we hope that investigators can investigate and examine the parties involved who caused these children to become victims, including operators who provide applications for Open BO without filters and cyber monitoring mechanisms," said Nahar .

From police investigation, both the deceased and the surviving victims were given a drug called inex (ecstasy pills) and a drink containing the narcotic type of methamphetamine. FA was rushed to the hospital after experiencing convulsions. However, upon arrival at the hospital, the victim died and was then abandoned by two men who had brought them.

Also read: Children Sold via Social Media

The Ministry of PPPA and KPAI asked the police to implement the Sexual Violence Act (UU TPKS) and use multiple articles regarding sexual intercourse with children , child trafficking, and narcotics abuse against children with the threat of a maximum sentence, plus a third increase in punishment because the action was carried out using electronic means.

"This is clear. Why do people recommend those children? We demand that the law must continue to operate, and reasons such as ignorance (that the victims are children) cannot be justified," said Ai.

Both the deceased victims and the survivors were given a type of drug called inex (ecstasy pills) and drinks containing the narcotic type of methamphetamine.

The case of child prostitution really disturbs the conscience of humanity, because children experience sexual exploitation, are sold, and are even forced to use narcotics, which can lead to death.

"Cases like this are an old method, but this time the victim died. "Children prostituted children are part of child sexual exploitation where children become sex objects," said Indonesian Ending The Sexual Exploitation of Children (ECPAT) Coordinator Ahmad Sofian.

Made into an object

Ahmad, who also teaches Criminal Law at Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, believes that when children are used as sex objects, the perpetrator will treat the child as he pleases because the perpetrator feels he has paid a high price, either directly to the child or to the syndicate that traffics the child.

Therefore, in addition to using Article 88 of the Child Protection Law No. 35 of 2014, law enforcement against perpetrators of this crime also uses Law No. 21 of 2007 regarding Human Trafficking which contains an article on the crime of child trafficking.

In this case, it is not only the perpetrator who directly commits sexual exploitation, but hotel managers can also be designated as suspects if it is proven that they facilitated the occurrence of child sexual exploitation.