Saturday, 11 July 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Rising cases of violence and sexual abuse against children in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency have triggered widespread public concern. The issue was highlighted in a public discussion titled "The Rights of Children in Labuhanbatu Selatan on Trial", organized by the Regional Board of the Alumni Corps of the Islamic Student Association (MD KAHMI), Legal and Human Rights Division, in collaboration with the youth organization Karang Taruna Labuhanbatu Selatan.
The discussion took place at Warkop Pinang Raja 2 in Kotapinang on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2026. The event brought together representatives from various institutions involved in child protection and provided a platform for the public to express concerns regarding child safety issues in the region. The forum ran from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.Karang Taruna Labuhanbatu Selatan chairman Andi Syahputra Nasution, one of the initiators of the event, criticized delays in handling child sexual abuse cases. He stressed that such conditions should not be tolerated, as they directly affect the future of the younger generation.
Read Also:"Children are the future of this region. If sexual violence cases are not handled swiftly, then the state is failing in its duty to protect its children," he stated firmly.
Police Cite Investigation Challenges
Read Also:Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Criminal Investigation Unit head AKP Elimawan Sitorus explained that delays in handling cases often stem from administrative constraints and evidentiary issues, particularly delays in medical examination reports (visum) from hospitals.
"Data collection and case files are often delayed due to slow visum results. Sometimes it takes two weeks or even up to a month, which significantly affects the speed of investigations," Sitorus said.
He also noted that the limited availability of social workers and psychologists complicates victim assistance. The police urged the public to utilize the free emergency hotline 110 for reporting incidents.Meanwhile, Head of the Labuhanbatu Selatan Child Protection Agency (KPAD) Ilham Daulay SH highlighted inconsistencies in data between institutions, caused by previously inadequate documentation systems, as well as limited budget allocations for victim services.
Read Also:Call for Stronger Child Protection Measures
Labuhanbatu Selatan District Prosecutor's Office representative Oloan Maruli Sinaga SH reaffirmed a firm stance against perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
"In cases of child abuse, there is no compromise. We will demand maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison," he emphasized.He also stressed the importance of protection from the Indonesian Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) throughout the legal process.
Read Also:Regional Parliament member Ruslan Tambak highlighted the social dimension of the issue, calling for stronger cultural values and traditional institutions to reinforce social control.
MD KAHMI Labuhanbatu Selatan chairman H. Muhammad Buyung Lubis praised the collaborative initiative and emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding children.
The discussion underscored the community's heightened sensitivity toward child protection issues and the urgent need for concrete improvements in the child protection system in Labuhanbatu Selatan. (IDNC)REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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