Indonesia Ministry reports increased child violence in disaster zones

The Indonesian Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) has reported an increased risk of violence against children in disaster-affected regions. In Aceh, 1,025 cases of violence against children were recorded in 2025, with 58 percent of these occurring in nine districts impacted by floods and landslides.

Deputy for Special Child Protection, Titi Eko Rahayu, noted that displacement conditions, such as inadequate sanitation and poorly lit toilets in evacuation centers, heighten the risk of sexual violence, particularly for girls. In East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), three cases of sexual violence were reported following earthquakes, often occurring in abandoned homes where residents fled due to aftershock concerns.

Additionally, economic and emotional pressures in areas like Bener Meriah have led to requests for marriage dispensations. To address these vulnerabilities, the Ministry is establishing ‘Pos Sapa’ (Women and Child Friend Centers) in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to provide essential psychosocial support and protection services.