Power Abuse in Child Sexual Abuse in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v12i2.109Abstract
Child sexual abuse (CSA) in Indonesia is a critical issue shaped by the dynamics of power abuse. This study examines how perpetrators, often trusted figures such as family members, educators, or community leaders, exploit their authority to commit sexual abuse against children. Using a multiple case study approach, the research analyzes 15 cases from various regions in Indonesia. The findings reveal that CSA frequently involves the manipulation of power through threats, inducements, and the exploitation of cultural or religious norms. Contributing factors such as patriarchal norms, social stigma, and institutional weaknesses exacerbate the vulnerability of victims and hinder their access to justice. Framed within Michel Foucault’s theory, the power dynamics in these cases encompass hierarchies, normalization of violence, and discursive control. Perpetrators leverage their authority to instill fear and silence victims, while gaps in legal systems and patriarchal cultural values reinforce impunity. The long-term impact on victims includes psychological trauma, social stigma, and diminished quality of life. The study recommends strengthening child protection systems through public awareness campaigns, responsive reporting mechanisms, psychosocial support, and stricter oversight of educational and religious institutions to prevent and address CSA holistically.
References
Dela Rosa, M. T. C., Lopez, S. R., & Melba L. Manapol. (2023). Experiences of Female Adolescent on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children During Community Quarantine in Davao City, Philippines. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(1), 74–91. https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i1.46
Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Whitfield, C. L., Brown, D. W., Felitti, V. J., Dong, M., & Giles, W. H. (2005). Long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse by gender of victim. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(5), 430–438.
Fisher, C., Goldsmith, A., Hurcombe, R., & Soares, C. (2017). The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment. Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse.
Foucault, M. (1990). The history of sexuality: An introduction, volume I. Trans. Robert Hurley. New York: Vintage, 95, 1–160.
Foucault, M. (2016). The history of sexuality. In Social Theory Re-Wired (pp. 494–500). Routledge.
Foucoult, M. (1975). Discipline and punish. A. Sheridan, Tr., Paris, FR, Gallimard.
French, Sally., Swain, J., & Royal National Institute for the Blind. (1997). From a different viewpoint : the lives and experiences of visually impaired people.
Higgins, M., & Swain, J. (2009). Disability and child sexual abuse: Lessons from survivors’ narratives for effective protection, prevention and treatment. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Nambiar, N., & Said, F. M. (2024). Culture Perspective on Child Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review. Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences, 20.
Nurisman, E. (2022). Risalah Tantangan Penegakan Hukum Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual Pasca Lahirnya Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022. Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia, 4(2), 170–196.
Peraturan Pemerintah No. 78, (2021) tentang Perlindungan Khusus Bagi Anak.
Prathisthita Tanaya, N. L. T., & Puteri, N. M. M. (2023). Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation through Livestreaming in Indonesia: Unequal Power Relations at the Root of Child Victimization. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 25(3), 6.
Reynaert, M. (2015). Sexual abuse of children as a form of power abuse and abuse of the body. Acta Theologica, 35(1), 189–200.
Rumble, L., Febrianto, R. F., Larasati, M. N., Hamilton, C., Mathews, B., & Dunne, M. P. (2020). Childhood sexual violence in Indonesia: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 21(2), 284–299.
Sales, Ma. V. T., Uclaray, A., Baldoza, R. D., Niñofranco, J., Dycoco, C., Añonuevo, T., & Pereyra, M. (2023). Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(2), 146–161. https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i02.37
Stake, R. E. (2013). Multiple case study analysis. Guilford press.
Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 12 (2022) tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual. Kementerian Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia, 1(69), 1–84.
Wismayanti, Y. F., O’Leary, P., Tilbury, C., & Tjoe, Y. (2019). Child sexual abuse in Indonesia: A systematic review of literature, law and policy. Child Abuse & Neglect, 95, 104034.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications. Sage Thousand Oaks, CA.
Dela Rosa, M. T. C., Lopez, S. R., & Melba L. Manapol. (2023). Experiences of Female Adolescent on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children During Community Quarantine in Davao City, Philippines. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(1), 74–91. https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i1.46
Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Whitfield, C. L., Brown, D. W., Felitti, V. J., Dong, M., & Giles, W. H. (2005). Long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse by gender of victim. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(5), 430–438.
Fisher, C., Goldsmith, A., Hurcombe, R., & Soares, C. (2017). The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment. Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse.
Foucault, M. (1990). The history of sexuality: An introduction, volume I. Trans. Robert Hurley. New York: Vintage, 95, 1–160.
Foucault, M. (2016). The history of sexuality. In Social Theory Re-Wired (pp. 494–500). Routledge.
Foucoult, M. (1975). Discipline and punish. A. Sheridan, Tr., Paris, FR, Gallimard.
French, Sally., Swain, J., & Royal National Institute for the Blind. (1997). From a different viewpoint : the lives and experiences of visually impaired people.
Higgins, M., & Swain, J. (2009). Disability and child sexual abuse: Lessons from survivors’ narratives for effective protection, prevention and treatment. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Nambiar, N., & Said, F. M. (2024). Culture Perspective on Child Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review. Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences, 20.
Nurisman, E. (2022). Risalah Tantangan Penegakan Hukum Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual Pasca Lahirnya Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022. Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia, 4(2), 170–196.
Peraturan Pemerintah No. 78, (2021) tentang Perlindungan Khusus Bagi Anak.
Prathisthita Tanaya, N. L. T., & Puteri, N. M. M. (2023). Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation through Livestreaming in Indonesia: Unequal Power Relations at the Root of Child Victimization. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 25(3), 6.
Reynaert, M. (2015). Sexual abuse of children as a form of power abuse and abuse of the body. Acta Theologica, 35(1), 189–200.
Rumble, L., Febrianto, R. F., Larasati, M. N., Hamilton, C., Mathews, B., & Dunne, M. P. (2020). Childhood sexual violence in Indonesia: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 21(2), 284–299.
Sales, Ma. V. T., Uclaray, A., Baldoza, R. D., Niñofranco, J., Dycoco, C., Añonuevo, T., & Pereyra, M. (2023). Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(2), 146–161. https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i02.37
Stake, R. E. (2013). Multiple case study analysis. Guilford press.
Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 12 (2022) tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual. Kementerian Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia, 1(69), 1–84.
Wismayanti, Y. F., O’Leary, P., Tilbury, C., & Tjoe, Y. (2019). Child sexual abuse in Indonesia: A systematic review of literature, law and policy. Child Abuse & Neglect, 95, 104034.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications. Sage Thousand Oaks, CA.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Kanya Eka Santi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
