JAKARTA (ANN/THE JAKARTA POST) – The Indonesian Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry has underscored the critical need for digital literacy to combat the online sexual exploitation of women and children.
Ministry spokeswoman Ratna Susianawati emphasised this point following the circulation of a viral video showing the sexual abuse of a five-year-old child in South Tangerang, Banten, initially posted by the account “Icha Shakila” on Facebook.
The suspect, a 21-year-old mother identified as R, is currently under investigation. Reports indicate that R was persuaded to create the video by the individual behind the Facebook account, who promised her IDR15 million (USD920.3).
“This incident highlights the urgent necessity of promoting digital literacy and educating the public on the appropriate and responsible use of the internet, especially social media,” Ratna stated on Tuesday, according to Antara news agency.
Ratna said education and awareness about the safe and responsible use of social media was not solely the government’s duty; it was also the responsibility of the public and other stakeholders.
In Bekasi, a similar incident unfolded, involving a 26-year-old mother identified as AK. Her 9-year-old child was the victim, and the video was shared by the same Facebook account.
AK has also been detained by the police. She said the Facebook account owner did not send her money even though she had sent the video. Ratna urged the police to find the person behind the Facebook account.
The police have found that the Icha Shakila account that distributed the sexual abuse videos was a duplicate of another account.
The actual owner of the Facebook account, referred to as S, had been hacked and impersonated on the platform, police said.
