Surabaya legislators demand child protection overhaul after death of disabled child

Members of the Surabaya Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) are calling for a comprehensive evaluation of child protection systems following the death of a 10-year-old child with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy in the Rungkut district. The child is suspected to have been a victim of prolonged bullying and physical abuse by two neighbors.

Legislators are urging the Surabaya City Government to implement an early warning system to detect potential violence and bullying at the neighborhood level. Proposals include expanding the reach of the Department of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control (DP3A-PPKB) to the sub-district and village levels to allow for direct family engagement and identification of issues.

Additionally, officials emphasized the need for increased socialization regarding bullying prevention, stronger school supervision, and greater parental responsibility in monitoring children's behavior to ensure such tragedies do not recur in the city.