Rising Number of Child Prostitutes

VIVAnews - In 2008, no less than 150,000 children in Indonesia have been victims of prostitution, violence and pornography. Most of them live in Jakarta. Most acts of violence against them were committed by their close relatives.

Head of Standards and Services Analyses Commission at Children National Commission Rooshen Ilyas said that based on data of violation against children's rights in 2008, 70 percent of child victims are between 14 and 16 years of age.

"There are thousands of child prostitutes in main cities of Indonesia. In Jakarta itself, the number of child prostitutes reaches 10,000," said Ilyas. While in Medan, North Sumatra, there are around 2,000 child prostitutes.

Ilyas went on to say that the increasing frequency of prostitution in Jakarta is not only caused by poverty, but also life style. It is a result of the number of TV shows that children watch that support such lifestyle.

The government should be serious in dealing with the issue. Genuine efforts in controlling TV shows and cigarette advertisements will need to be done.

Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono