Monday, 26 July 10 | 50 hits | send | print

Deli Serdang – Cases of child trafficking are still common in Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra Province, which require serious attention from various parties. Some measures have been taken - remedial course or additional education by KKSP Foundation (the Education and Information Center for Child Rights) for 500 secondary students in Percut Sei Tuan Sub-district.

The secretary of KKSP Foundation, Maman Natawijaya said that today the issue of trafficking is still an iceberg-phenomenon. The exact data of victims is never been obtained, however the problem is still huge.

“Apart from the progress achieved by the Indonesian government in terms of legal framework to protect children from human trafficking, the reality shows that the cases of child trafficking are still alarming in this province. They are still problems, and with the momentum of the National Children Day, we should look into these problems,” says Maman Natawijaya to journalist in Deli Serdang District, Sunday (25/7).

To deal with these problems, KKSP collaborates with ILO/IPEC (International Program for Eliminating on the Elimination of Child Labour) have taken several actions to prevent child trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

 “KKSP sees that the education world has become one of the strategic targets for this action (prevention). The set up scheme in this action is by providing a Remedial Course for 500 junior high school students in Percut Sei Tuan sub-district,” says Maman.

This education is to anticipate the high rate of school dropout. As we are aware that the contributing factors of school dropout are namely poor economy and the incapability of students in absorbing the subjects in school. In order to anticipate the dropout rate, therefore KKSP designs a program and works closely with schools to make the remedial course (additional courses) for some difficult subjects for students.

In addition, KKSP also set up a school radio to campaign the potential dangers of child trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation to students. The broadcasted Information are not just the child trafficking but also the students’ activities, child labour, HIV/AIDS and other BPTA useful for students. KKSP also trained a reporter to search for news and a broadcaster at the same time.

 “However, it does not mean that the problem ends by preventing these 500 students become victims of child trafficking. Still there are thousands of children out there to be rescued from being lured into child trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation,” alleges Maman. (rde)