Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan highlighted the need for cross-sector and cross-border collaboration to address online violence, including child sexual exploitation and grooming.
"Sexual violence against children in the digital space is cross-border and highly organized. It cannot be handled with a half-hearted approach," she stated, according to a statement confirmed on Friday.
She noted that strong collaboration between the government, law enforcement, relevant ministries, and international partners is key to protecting women and children from online predators.
The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) has strengthened its SAPA 129 reporting service and the Regional Technical Service Units for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) across Indonesia.
The ministry is also pushing to integrate these services with the National Police’s Women and Children's Protection and Human Trafficking Eradication (PPA-PPO) Crimes Directorate and international partners through the planned formation of the Indo Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).
Indo-ICAC is a collaborative platform designed to handle online child sexual abuse.
"Indo-ICAC is expected to serve as a collaborative hub for the Indonesian government, the PPPA Ministry, the National Police, and the Australian Federal Police to accelerate case handling, protect victims, and ensure a comprehensive legal enforcement process," Veronica remarked.
The Director of PPA-PPO at the National Police Criminal Investigation Department, Nurul Azizah, stated that handling digital-based sexual violence requires cyber investigation skills, expertise in electronic evidence, and support from certified forensic laboratories.
Therefore, synergy between PPA-PPO investigators, cyber investigators, and international partners is essential for an effective legal process.
"From the technical side, we are ready and highly need support from international partners, including the Australian Federal Police," Azizah asserted.
