Child exploitation refers to using children to benefit others, satisfaction or profit, which often results in children’s unfair, cruel and harmful treatment. Elucidation of Article 13 paragraph (1) letter b of the Child Protection Law states that exploitation treatment includes exploiting, using, or extorting children for personal, family, or group gain. In general, there are two recognized forms of child exploitation
Writer: Patricia Cindy Andriani
Editors: Rheka Rizqiah Ramadhani, Nadia Amani Alya
Translators: Clarissa Cita Magdalena, Hasna Fatina Sakinah Abdul Kadir
Exploitation of Children in General
Child exploitation refers to using children to benefit others, satisfaction or profit, which often results in children’s unfair, cruel and harmful treatment. Elucidation of Article 13 paragraph (1) letter b of the Child Protection Law states that exploitation treatment includes exploiting, using, or extorting children for personal, family, or group gain. In general, there are two recognized forms of child exploitation:
Sexual exploitation: abuse of a vulnerable position, power, influence or use of a child’s beliefs for sexual purposes, including obtaining economic, social or political benefits from child exploitation and personal sexual gratification. Example: child prostitution, child trafficking, child pornography, child sexual slavery etc.
According to ECPAT International, sexual Exploitation of children is a basic violation of children’s human rights which consists of sexual violence by adults and the provision of monetary rewards or something that is valued in money where children are made sex objects and commercial objects. In the elucidation of Article 66 of the Child Protection Law, it is stated that what is meant by “sexually exploited” is all forms of use of the sexual organs or other organs of children for profit, but not only in prostitution and obscene activities.
In various human rights instruments today, sexual Exploitation of children is further grouped into five forms of criminal acts, namely:
Offering services or direct services to a child to perform sexual actions for money or other rewards.
Any display including photographs, visuals, audio, writing or otherwise involving children in sexual activity.
The process of recruiting, harboring, and accepting children for sexual Exploitation.
Sexual Exploitation of children by people who travel from one place to another. Often involves the use of various accommodation, transportation and tourism services that can facilitate contact with children. This allows the perpetrator to remain invisible in the community and the surrounding environment.
Marriage involving children and adolescents under the age of 18 may be considered a form of exploitation if a child is used for sexual purposes to obtain goods or payments in the form of money or services.
Next, the newest form of crime is online sexual exploitation of a child (OSEC). OSEC is all sexual exploitation committed against children online, including grooming, sextortion, sexting, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and live broadcasting of sexual violence against children.
In the explanation of Article 66 of the Child Protection Law, it is stated that what is meant by “economically exploited” is an act without the child’s consent which includes prostitution, forced labor or services, slavery, oppression, extortion, use of physical/sexual reproductive organs to be transferred or transplanted by another party. For material gain.
It should also be understood that exploitation is different from violence. The exploitation of children occurs in the form of acts of violence where the perpetrator aims to obtain commercial/economic benefits. In the case of child exploitation, children are not only sex objects but also commodities to obtain money, goods, or services for the perpetrators and other people involved.
In principle, every child has the right to be protected from exploitation in any form that harms him. This is the obligation of parents, guardians, or other parties such as the government and related state institutions. This principle has been accepted both through international legal instruments (Convention on the Rights of the Child) and national legal instruments (Child Protection Law) and other regulations.
Facts of Child Exploitation in Indonesia
According to the 2016-2020 Child Complaints Case Data published by KPAI on its official website, there are 29 cases of child prostitution, 23 cases of child commercial sex exploitation (ESKA), 54 cases of child labor exploitation, 11 cases of illegal adoption, and 4 cases of child commercial sex recruitment (pimp)
Furthermore, KPAI recorded 35 cases of sexual exploitation, child trafficking, and child labor during the January-April 2021 period. Of these, 60% of them were done online, where the MiChat application was the most widely used medium (41%). Its position is followed by WhatsApp (21%) and Facebook (17%)
In the implementation of child protection, law enforcers ensure that victims receive justice and
recovery. Some of the laws that are often used, they are:
Case Reporting and Law Enforcement
Case Reporting to Police or Other Supporting Institutions
When a child becomes a victim of sexual and/or economic exploitation, the family can report the case to the police. In addition, cases can also be reported to the government agencies responsible for child protection and women’s empowerment and private institutions dealing with child protection issues.
Victims, relatives, and anyone who has experienced, seen/witnessed an alleged criminal act of child exploitation can report it to the police at all levels (Police Headquarters, Polda, Polres and Polsek). Parties who intend to report can immediately go to the Integrated Police Service Center to submit a report or contact the Police Call Center 110, which receives reports 24 hours, seven days a week.
Furthermore, the police will first investigate to determine whether the reported act is a criminal act or not. Suppose the reported action is proven to meet the elements of a criminal act. In that case, the police investigator/deputy will carry out an investigation process based on the police report and Investigation Order.
Since 2007, the Indonesian National Police has established the Women and Children Service Unit (UPPA), which is tasked with providing services in the form of protection for women and children who are victims of crime and law enforcement for the perpetrators. Investigating Unit officers under this UPPA will conduct investigations and investigations of perpetrators of crimes against women and children. When victims and/or witnesses report child exploitation cases, they must be placed in a special examination room (RPK). If the victim and/or witness is traumatized/stressed, the investigator must take them to P2TP2A or the nearest hospital for treatment before continuing the interview.
Other Supporting Institutions
Suppose the victim is reluctant to report child exploitation cases to the police because of trauma, shame, fear, and discomfort. In that case, the victim can report it to other supporting institutions that are responsible for protecting children and women, both government and private, including::
P2TP2A, both at the Central, Provincial, and Regency/City levels, provides integrated services to witnesses and victims of child exploitation crimes. The aim is to obtain complaint/identification services, health rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, repatriation, legal assistance, and social reintegration as regulated in Article 20 PP No. 78/2021.
Victims can directly contact the local P2TP2A to report cases of child exploitation. In addition to victim complaints, P2TP2A can also follow up on handling child trafficking cases from the referral process or through outreach. Furthermore, P2TP2A will take care of the victim identification process, including screening, assessment, and intervention plans as needed. P2TP2A will also forward cases reported to the police for legal processing and assist victims starting from protection, the process of carrying out the investigation and investigation BAP in the police, the prosecution process at the prosecutor’s office, and the examination process court. This includes legal assistance to obtain the compensation processed by the police, such as material and non-material losses suffered by the victim, collected and attached to the case file.
Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI)
Victims can also report cases of child exploitation to KPAI. This report can be done online or offline. Online reports are carried out by filling in the “Online Complaints” data on the KPAI official website. In addition, the complainant can also contact KPAI directly through the complaint telephone number listed on the KPAI official website — (+62)02131901556. Furthermore, KPAI will process cases of child exploitation that are reported to the authorities, namely the police. KPAI official website: Formulir Pengaduan | Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia (KPAI)
Victims can apply for protection through several available channels, including sending an application to the LPSK office address, submitting an application via the LPSK Protection Application Application (available on Playstore), sending Whatsapp messages and email, or contacting the LPSK hotline directly. Detailed reporting information can be accessed on the official website of LPSK: Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (lpsk.go.id).
LPSK immediately examines the application on the report submitted and provides a written decision no later than seven days from the submission. After that, LPSK will provide protection and assistance to victims/witnesses in the form of legal assistance, health rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, repatriation, and social reintegration. Before that, witnesses and/or victims must sign a statement of willingness to follow the terms and conditions of LPSK.
Victims also have the opportunity to report child exploitation cases to NGOs that deal with child protection issues, such as Rumah Faye. NGOs that know or receive reports related to child exploitation cases must immediately follow up on these reports to the local police.
Rumah Faye itself has a program for the release of child victims of Exploitation whose activities include: receiving referrals for cases and victims through cooperation and coordination between the government, NGOs, and law enforcement officers; assisting victims in legal processes such as receiving reports/complaints, assessing victims, assisting the BAP process, mediation, case proceedings (if necessary), assisting the post-mortem process, handling cases, assisting victims in testifying in court, and monitoring the course of the case until the decision is made; conduct field assessments to police stations and vulnerable areas.
Tahap Penyidikan oleh Kepolisian
Setelah Surat Perintah Penyidikan diterbitkan, maka kepolisian akan membuat Surat Pemberitahuan Dimulainya Penyidikan (SPDP). SPDP ini kemudian dikirimkan ke jaksa penuntut umum, pelapor/korban, dan terlapor dalam waktu maksimal 7 hari setelah diterbitkan Surat Perintah Penyidikan. Dalam proses penyidikan ini, kepolisian akan meneliti dan mengumpulkan bukti-bukti atas kasus eksploitasi anak melalui pemeriksaan tersangka, penangkapan, penahanan, pemeriksaan saksi, pemeriksaan ahli, dan tindakan lain sesuai kebutuhan.
Kemudian, penyidik akan membuat berita acara tentang pelaksanaan tindakan-tindakan tersebut dan menyerahkan berkas perkara pada jaksa penuntut umum untuk dilanjutkan ke tahap penuntutan. Apabila proses penyidikan dianggap telah selesai, maka tersangka beserta barang bukti akan diserahkan juga ke jaksa penuntut umum.
Tahap Penuntutan oleh Kejaksaan
Setelah menerima berkas perkara dari penyidik, jaksa penuntut umum akan meneliti berkas tersebut beserta barang bukti yang diberikan. Apabila dinilai ada kekurangan, maka jaksa penuntut umum harus memberikan petunjuk kepada penyidik untuk memperbaiki dan/atau melengkapi hasil penyidikannya. Selanjutnya, jaksa penuntut umum membuat surat dakwaan dan melimpahkan perkara ke pengadilan. Pada tahap penuntutan ini, jaksa harus menyampaikan hak-hak korban.
Tahap Pemeriksaan di Sidang Pengadilan oleh Majelis Hakim
Setelah berkas perkara dilimpahkan oleh jaksa penuntut umum ke pengadilan negeri, maka majelis hakim akan memeriksa dan memutus perkara dalam sidang pengadilan. Pada prinsipnya, hakim hanya boleh menjatuhkan pidana apabila terdapat minimal 2 alat bukti secara sah yang diyakini hakim bahwa tindak pidana benar-benar terjadi dan terdakwa bersalah.
Keterangan ahli menjadi alat bukti yang penting dalam kasus eksploitasi anak. Hal tersebut disebabkan oleh kesulitan untuk membuktikan kesalahan pelaku–dugaan anak menawarkan diri dalam layanan seksual karena dorongan ekonomi, misalnya pelacuran anak.
Sidang tindak pidana eksploitasi anak untuk memeriksa saksi dan/atau korban dilakukan dalam sidang tertutup demi melindungi kepentingan terbaik anak. Mereka wajib didampingi orang tua, wali, orang tua asuh, advokat, atau pendamping lainnya.
Pemeriksaan terhadap saksi dan/atau korban anak dalam sidang pengadilan harus dilakukan tanpa kehadiran terdakwa. Selain itu, pemeriksaan atas persetujuan hakim juga dapat dilakukan di luar sidang pengadilan dengan perekaman. Selama proses, jaksa tidak memakai toga atau seragam dinas.
Beberapa lembaga yang berperan dalam proses pemulihan korban, baik di lingkup pemerintah maupun swasta, di antaranya:
DP3AP2KB, yang dibentuk di setiap tingkatan kabupaten/kota, berfungsi melaksanakan pendataan dan pelaporan terhadap kasus-kasus perdagangan anak dan melaksanakan koordinasi dengan pihak-pihak terkait mengenai rujukan penanganan kasus perdagangan anak termasuk upaya pemulihan korban. Khususnya dalam hal pemulihan korban, DP3AP2KB akan melakukan asesmen terkait kebutuhan korban dalam pemulihan, untuk kemudian mengkoordinasikannya dengan kepala dinas/UPTD/P2TP2A untuk memberikan layanan yang sesuai kepada korban.
Proses Pemulangan Korban
Selain rehabilitasi dan bantuan hukum, P2TP2A juga membantu proses pemulangan korban dari luar negeri ke provinsi maupun dalam negeri ke daerah asal atau keluarga atau keluarga pengganti, atas keinginan dan persetujuan korban, atau dari dalam negeri ke negara asal dengan tetap mengutamakan pelayanan perlindungan dan pemenuhan kebutuhannya. P2TP2A melakukan pendampingan terhadap korban yang sudah mendapatkan layanan dan akan dipulangkan ke keluarga maupun keluarga pengganti. Apabila korban berasal dari negara yang berbatasan langsung dengan Indonesia, maka P2TP2A perbatasan setelah serah terima dari perwakilan RI di luar negeri, korban akan diberikan pelayanan rehabilitasi dan/atau bantuan, untuk setelahnya dipulangkan ke daerah asal, melalui koordinasi dengan instansi terkait.
Proses Reintegrasi Sosial Korban
Proses terakhir dari layanan yang diberikan oleh P2TP2A untuk korban adalah proses reintegrasi sosial, di mana korban disatukan kembali dengan keluarga atau keluarga pengganti serta diupayakan agar korban dapat diterima kembali oleh keluarga dan masyarakatnya. Dalam proses ini termasuk di dalamnya adalah pemberdayaan ekonomi dan sosial serta pembekalan keterampilan agar dapat menghasilkan secara ekonomi, serta diberikan pendidikan untuk korban yang masih bersekolah dan terputus karena menjadi korban serta adanya monitoring/bimbingan lanjutan, serta home visit untuk memonitor kondisi korban setelah proses penyatuan dengan keluarga.
Hak-Hak Korban (dan/atau Saksi) dalam Proses Hukum
Sehubungan dengan proses hukum yang sedang berjalan, anak memiliki hak-hak yang diatur dalam Pasal 5 UU No. 13/2006 sebagai berikut:
Hak-hak di atas akan diberikan kepada korban dan/atau saksi tindak pidana dalam kasus tertentu sesuai dengan keputusan LPSK.
Di samping itu, korban dan/atau saksi yang merasa dirinya berada dalam posisi sangat terancam dapat memberikan kesaksian tanpa hadir langsung di pengadilan atas persetujuan hakim. Kesaksian diberikan secara tertulis yang disampaikan di hadapan pejabat berwenang atau melalui sarana elektronik dengan didampingi pejabat berwenang.
Korban, saksi, dan pelapor tidak dapat dituntut secara hukum baik pidana maupun perdata atas laporan, kesaksian yang akan, sedang, atau telah diberikannya.
Hak-Hak Korban Pasca Proses Hukum
Kompensasi adalah ganti rugi yang diberikan oleh negara karena pelaku tidak mampu memenuhi tanggung jawabnya kepada korban atau keluarganya. Permohonan diajukan secara tertulis kepada pengadilan hak asasi manusia melalui LPSK (Pasal 2 PP No. 7/2018).
Restitusi berbeda dengan kompensasi, di mana restitusi adalah ganti rugi yang diberikan kepada korban atau keluarganya oleh pelaku atau pihak ketiga. Sebagaimana diatur dalam Pasal 2 ayat (1) dan (2) PP No. 43/2017, setiap anak korban tindak pidana (termasuk eksploitasi ekonomi dan/atau seksual) berhak atas restitusi. Restitusi berupa: (a) ganti kerugian atas kehilangan kekayaan; (b) ganti kerugian atas penderitaan sebagai akibat tindak pidana; dan/atau (c) penggantian biaya perawatan medis dan/atau psikologis.
Permohonan restitusi diajukan oleh korban, baik sebelum maupun setelah putusan pengadilan berkekuatan hukum tetap. Adapun permohonan yang diajukan setelah putusan pengadilan berkekuatan hukum tetap dapat melalui LPSK.
Sebelum putusan pengadilan, permohonan harus diajukan secara tertulis dalam bahasa Indonesia di atas kertas bermaterai pada tahap penyidikan atau penuntutan. Permohonan juga dapat diajukan melalui LPSK paling lama tiga hari setelah pemberitahuan mengenai hak anak yang menjadi korban tindak pidana oleh penyidik atau jaksa penuntut umum. Selanjutnya, penyidik atau penuntut umum mengkaji kembali permohonan restitusi. Apabila sudah lengkap, maka penuntut umum akan mencantumkan permohonan restitusi dalam tuntutannya.
Dalam waktu 7 hari sejak diterimanya putusan pengadilan berkekuatan hukum tetap, penuntut umum akan menyampaikan salinan yang memuat pemberian restitusi kepada pelaku dan korban. Pelaku wajib memberikan restitusi kepada korban paling lama 30 hari setelah menerima salinan kemudian melaporkannya kepada pengadilan dan kejaksaan.
Korban berhak memperoleh rehabilitasi kesehatan, rehabilitasi sosial, dan pemulangan atau reintegrasi sosial dari pemerintah apabila mengalami penderitaan fisik atau psikis akibat tindak pidana eksploitasi. Hak atas rehabilitasi ini diajukan oleh korban atau keluarga korban, teman korban, kepolisian, relawan pendamping atau pekerja sosial setelah melaporkan kasus. Permohonan rehabilitasi kemudian diteruskan oleh polisi ke lembaga terkait seperti DP3AP2KB, P2TP2A dan LSM pemulihan korban.
Dalam proses perlindungan hukum atau pemenuhan hak anak korban eksploitasi, terdapat beberapa tantangan yang dihadapi baik internal maupun eksternal.
Against trafficking, violence and exploitation of children
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