Top 10 Indonesian Provinces with the Highest Number of Reported Child Sexual Abuse Cases in 2022: North Sumatra Leads

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) report titled *2023 Crime Statistics* shows that there were 2,893 cases of sexual abuse in Indonesia throughout 2022. This figure represents a 38.98% decrease compared to the previous year's 4,741 cases.

The regional police jurisdiction (Polda) with the highest number of reported sexual abuse cases in Indonesia is North Sumatra Police (Polda Sumut) with 385 cases, or 13.3% of the total national sexual abuse cases in 2022.

The next highest number of reported rape cases occurred in West Java, with 266 cases, followed by East Java with 191 cases and North Sulawesi with 189 cases.

Meanwhile, the lowest number of sexual abuse cases nationwide in 2022 was in South Kalimantan, with only 21 cases. This was followed by Papua and West Sulawesi, each with 22 rape cases.

According to BPS, throughout 2022, there were 4,336 cases of sexual crimes across Indonesia, comprising 2,893 cases of sexual abuse and 1,443 cases of rape.

The following is a breakdown of the 10 regional police jurisdictions (Polda) with the highest number of reported sexual abuse cases in Indonesia in 2022:

1. North Sumatra: 385 cases
2. West Java: 266 cases
3. East Java: 191 cases
4. North Sulawesi: 189 cases
5. South Sulawesi: 177 cases
6. Riau: 131 cases
7. West Sumatra: 130 cases
8. Central Java: 124 cases
9. Jakarta (Metro Jaya): 113 cases
10. East Nusa Tenggara: 95 cases

Most recently, the Purwakarta District Police, West Java, has named a religious teacher, Opan Sopandi, as a suspect in a case of sexual abuse against more than a dozen of his students. The police have placed Opan Sopandi on the wanted list (DPO).

"The suspect's whereabouts are currently unknown, so we have placed him on the wanted list," said Purwakarta Police Chief, AKBP Edwar Zulkarnain, as reported by *Antara* on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

According to Edwar, preliminary investigations indicate 15 victims of Opan Sopandi's sexual abuse. However, this number may increase, as there may be more victims who have not yet reported the abuse.

For his actions, the perpetrator faces charges under Article 81 paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, and/or Article 82 paragraphs (1) and (2) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 17 of 2016 concerning the Ratification of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 01 of 2016 concerning the Second Amendment to Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection.

The minimum sentence is 5 years and the maximum is 15 years.

"But because the suspect is an educator, the sentence will be increased by one-third of the base sentence," said Edwar.