"It is a very serious matter. The trauma endured by a child will stay until she or he reaches old age, and therefore, we have to be serious in our fight against it," the president reiterated.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for a joint movement from the government, stakeholders, and people at large to prevent crime against children.

"Such a movement is not merely a government program, but must be taken up in every corner of this country to prevent crime against children," the president emphasized during a limited cabinet meeting at his office here on Thursday.

Yudhoyono pointed out that since the time he first became president, he found it necessary to establish a women affairs and child protection ministry to deal with violence against women and children in the country.

He noted that cases of violence and abuse against women and children, which frequently occur these days, are serious problems that have to be handled properly in order to prevent their recurrence in future.

"It is a very serious matter. The trauma endured by a child will stay until she or he reaches old age, and therefore, we have to be serious in our fight against it," the president reiterated.

The head of state asserted that child protection efforts must be intensified to prevent sexual assault and violence against children whose future will affect the future of the nation.

The government will request every stakeholder to ensure that sexual abuse, assault, and violence against children will not happen again, he added.

The meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Peoples Welfare Agung Laksono, Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Ameliasari Gumelar, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi, National Police Chief General Sutarman, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam.

Meanwhile, Minister Linda Amalia has called for giving the harshest punishment to those found guilty of committing child sexual violence in order to create a deterrent effect.

"I hope that the heaviest punishment should be meted out to the perpetrators of child sexual abuses," Linda stated after attending a campaign on anti-violence against children in Jakarta, recently.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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