Jakarta, IO – Batang Police chief investigator Yorisa Prabowo said at least 21 children claimed to be victims of sexual abuse by a rebana (traditional tambourine) teacher identified as M (28) in Batang, Central Java in the last few years. However, it is suspected that there may be more victims who have yet to come forward and make a police report.
“So far, the victims who have reported are boys aged 5-13 years. The police have opened a complaint channel because the number of victims is likely to increase,” Yorisa said, reported BBC Indonesia, Monday (9/1).
M was arrested on Friday (6/1). Investigation is ongoing and the suspect can be charged with Article 82 of the Child Protection Law with a maximum penalty of 15 years in imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp300 million.
M is known by his neighbours as a “religious” figure, often teaching rebana and Quran recitation to local children. This incident was first revealed in early January, after one of the victims in North Proyonanggan village complained to his parents that his anus was painful and bleeding when he defecated.
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“His mother pressed him for more information and he said he had been sodomized by the suspect. He also revealed that it also happened to his other friends,” Yosari said. To investigators, M admitted he has “sexual attraction” to young boys.
“The children and the perpetrators live close together and they knew each other. He tricked the victims by pretending to teach them rebana, Quran recitation and let them play games on this phone,” Yorisa elaborated. (rr)