The public is paying close attention to the settlement of the case, which has become a black mark on the country. Thus far, the National Police have moved to process the dismissal of police staff sergeant NI.
By
Kompas Editor
·3 minutes read
“For sex offenders, the important thing is not sex, but its conquest,” said Stanton Samenow, the author of Inside the Criminal Mind (2004).
Therefore, it is really disturbing when last week, a member of the South Jailolo Subprecinct Police Station, North Maluku, was suspected of raping a 16-year-old child. A person who should have the power to protect, guard and serve the community even "conquered" his own citizen.
There was no series of demonstrations like in the case of the death of George Floyd in the United States, but that does not mean the public is not monitoring the case in South Jailolo. The public is paying close attention to the settlement of the case, which has become a black mark on the country. However, Indonesia is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, so the lawsuit over this case appears more frequently in mainstream media or social media.
We appreciate the steps of the police.
Thus far, the National Police have moved to process the dismissal of police staff sergeant NI. The National Police\'s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) will also accompany the victim. We appreciate the steps of the police.
On the other hand, the media — according to Bill Kovach, an American journalist — will also report any progress in the prosecution of NI. If proven guilty, the deterrent effect for the perpetrator — in the form of the imposition of a criminal article that is as severe as possible — can be a firm message for the police and the public. For the internal police circle, dismissal or criminal threats for a maximum of 15 years can be a reminder so there will not be another incident in the future.
Unfortunately, law enforcement is not included in the provision of Article 81 (3) of Law No. 35/2014 on child protection. Therefore, the maximum sentence of imprisonment is still 15 years.
For the public, the punishment for police officers clearly sends a message that there is no mercy for child predators. This message is important considering that the cases of sexual crimes revealed in this country are like the tip of the iceberg of similar cases. Women, including underage girls, continue to be victims of sexual violence.
The number of complaints increased, among others, because it is now possible to report online
In early March, in a presentation of its annual notes, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) revealed a 60 percent increase in complaints in 2020 to 2,389 cases. In 2019, Komnas Perempuan recorded 1,413 cases of complaints. The number of complaints increased, among others, because it is now possible to report online.
The case in South Jailolo should ideally be used as a foothold for the National Police to further reform themselves. The concept of predictive, responsibility and fair transparency (Presisi), which was introduced by National Police chief Gen. (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo, also needs to be immediately implemented.
Kompas
National Police chief Gen. (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
In an era like today, when the future is present, transparency can also be provided by utilizing technology. Installing more surveillance cameras at police stations, starting with the South Jailolo Subprecinct Police Station, is expected to be able to encourage more transparency in police work, which could also increase public trust in the police institution.
