Makassar Has Sixth Highest Amount of Child Prostitution Cases
Monday, 16 October, 2006 | 12:35 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Makassar: The National Commission for Child Protection has said that the City of Makassar, South Sulawesi, has the sixth highest amount of child prostitution cases out of 12 provinces.

This statement was made by Arist Merdeka Sirait, Secretary General of the National Commission for Child Protection, during a cooperation event between the Investigation Agency of Child and Media Advocacy Studies (LISAN) and Plan Indonesia in Makassar yesterday (15/10).

However he did not mention which city has the highest amount of child prostitution cases.

“Special regional regulations for child protection are required,” said Arist.

According to him, the sexual exploitation of children under 18 years of age in Indonesia now reaches between 75,000 and 90,000.

Rusin Tompo from LISAN said that in one area in Makassar, in Panampu Subdistrict with a population of 13,622, a total of 766 children aged between five and 12 have had to stop attending school due to financial factors.

LISAN has established a study hall so that they can continue studying.

Ibrahim Saleh, Head of Makassar Social Services, when asked for confirmation said, “I don't have the data yet.”

However, he said he would take strict measures because child prostitution is a crime and violates the Child Protection Law.

Irmawati