Deputy Chair of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sri Suparyati, recently met with parents of children affected by the abuse case at the Little Aresha Daycare in Yogyakarta. Following the meeting at the LPSK Representative Office on Wednesday (April 29), Sri suggested that the patterns of abuse at the facility may have persisted for years.
Uncovering Long-Term Abuse
According to Sri Suparyati, evidence points to the likelihood that the violence at Little Aresha did not start recently. “We believe this abuse has been occurring long before the recent raid,” she stated. Investigations suggest that many children currently in kindergarten, who spent two to three years at the daycare, may have been victims of systemic maltreatment during their time there.
Families have reported significant behavioral shifts, developmental setbacks, and nutritional concerns in their children, including worries regarding potential stunting. Given these findings, the LPSK emphasizes the need for a deeper investigation into the criminal conduct, as the scope of the harm likely extends far beyond the infants who were the focus of the initial report.
Psychological Impact and Loss of Learning
During the meeting, parents shared distressing stories regarding the psychological regression of their children. One particularly concerning case involved a child who had been a proficient Quranic memorizer (tahfiz) before entering the daycare. However, after just three months at the facility, the child completely lost the ability to recite their memorized passages and exhibited a total lack of interest in continuing their practice.
Sri highlighted this regression as a clear indicator of behavioral change and a significant decline in the children’s psychological well-being. As the investigation continues, the LPSK remains committed to uncovering the full extent of the daycare’s history and providing necessary support for the affected families and their children.
Summary
The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) suspects that the abuse at the Little Aresha daycare in Yogyakarta may have been occurring for years. Investigations suggest that many children who are now in kindergarten were likely victims of systemic mistreatment during their time at the facility.
Parents have reported drastic behavioral changes, developmental regression, and concerns regarding their children’s nutritional health. In response to these findings, the LPSK is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the impact and to provide support for the victims.