CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST CHILDREN AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INDONESIAN LEGAL SYSTEM IN DEALING WITH THIS PHENOMENON IN INDONESIA

Abstract

The widespread of media coverage on child sexual abuse has already shocked the society. Child sexual abuse cases are still in an iceberg phenomenon. This is due to most of the children who have ever become sexual abuse victims are reluctant to be open. Therefore, parents should be able to recognize the signs of the children experiencing any sexual abuse. Child Sexual abuse will result continuously terrible impacts, not only on its victims’ health problems but also on their psychological condition, such as permanent trauma, even after they have been grown up. The traumatic impacts of sexual abuse experienced by children are as follows: betrayal (betrayal or trust crisis of the children towards adults); traumatic sexualization; powerlessness (helpless feeling); and stigmatization. Physically, there is perhaps nothing to be questioned on sexual abuse victims, but psychologically, it can cause addiction, trauma, and even revenge. Unless it is treated seriously, child sexual abuse can lead to a broad social impacts in the society. Handling and healing psychological trauma as a result of sexual abuse should get serious attention from any related parties, such as family, society and country. Therefore, to protect children, it is necessary to provide a system approach including social welfare system for children and families, internationally standardized judicial systems and mechanisms to encourage appropriate behavior in the society.