The Role of Law in Tackling Child Exploitation in Child Social Welfare Institutions (LKSA): A Case Study of the Fulfilment of Children's Basic Needs According to Welfare Standards
##plugins.themes.EpsilonTheme.article.main##
Ricky Banke*
Rolib Sitorus
Joy Zaman Felix Saragih
Andy Tonggo Michael Sihombing
Child exploitation within Child Social Welfare Institutions (Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak or LKSA) remains a significant concern that undermines the fulfillment of children's fundamental rights, particularly in relation to access to education, health care, proper care, and protection. This study aims to examine the role of legal frameworks in preventing and addressing exploitative practices within LKSAs, focusing on the extent to which these institutions ensure the fulfillment of children's basic needs in accordance with national welfare standards. Employing a qualitative research design with a case study approach, the study was conducted in several LKSAs in Medan, North Sumatra. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of relevant legal and institutional documents, and direct field observations. The results show that there are still practices of child exploitation in several LKSA, including forced labor and misuse of foster child status for economic interests. Other important findings include weak supervision by government agencies, limited coordination between agencies, and a lack of understanding by LKSA managers of children's rights. On the other hand, the role of the police as law enforcers is considered reactive and not optimal in preventing and prosecuting cases of child exploitation in LKSA. The main obstacles faced by POLRI include limited resources, lack of specialized training, and the absence of strong synergy between the police and other child protection agencies. Hence, the research emphasizes that although the legal framework is in place through various laws and regulations, its implementation is still not effective.
Bah, Y. M. (2022). Combating child abuse in Indonesia: Achievements and challenges. International Journal of Management (IJM), 13(3), 192–213.
Dasgupta, S. (2013). Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 7(2).
Francia, G., & Edling, S. (2020). Unaccompanied Afghan Minors’ Rights when Restrictive Transnational Migration Policies are in Force–The Case of Sweden. The International Journal of Children’s Rights, 28(4), 894–924.
Gal, T. (2006). Victims to Partners: child victims and restorative justice. The Australian National University.
Hafiz, M. F., & Sitompul, M. N. (2024). Efektifitas Penerapan Hukum Terhadap Kejahatan Pencabulan Anak (Studi Kasus Polrestabes Medan). Legal Standing: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 8(3), 685–697.
Harahap, S. H. A. R. D. (2024). Eksploitasi Anak Penghibur Jalanan di Medan: Analisis Hukum Islam dan UU Perlindungan Anak Tahun 2014. Empirisma: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Kebudayaan Islam, 33(2), 345–364.
Hirschi, T. (1969). Key idea: Hirschi’s social bond/social control theory. Key Ideas in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 1969, 55–69.
Iskandar, Umami, A., & Fadilla, D. (2021). Analysis Related To Judges’ Considerations In The Immediate Decision Of Criminal Actions Against Children. Policy, Law, Notary and Regulatory Issues (POLRI), 1(1), 57–64. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55047/polri.v1i1.32
Khilmi, E. F. (2025). Judicial Review dan Pengawasan Masyarakat Sipil: Sinergi Dalam Mewujudkan Peradilan Konstitusi Yang Demokratis. Jurnal de Jure, 17(1).
Kostova, Z., Griffin, J. L., & Kane-Howse, G. (2013). Evaluation and Impact of Trauma Informed Training on Child Professionals: UMMS Child Trauma Training Center (CTTC).
Manalu, D., & Berlianti, B. (2024). Model Pelayanan Sosial Panti dan Non Panti di Lembaga Kesejahteraan Sosial Anak (LKSA) Anak Gembira. SOSMANIORA: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 3(1), 99–113.
Maritza, D. F., & Taufiqurokhman, T. (2024). Peranan Masyarakat Sipil dalam Peningkatan Akuntabilitas Birokrasi Melalui Pengawasan Publik yang Aktif. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Administrasi, 14(1), 71–84.
Marlina, M. (2015). Tindak Pidana Eksploitasi Seksual Komersial Anak Di Indonesia. Jurnal Mercatoria, 8(2), 91–106.
Mestika, H. F., Mukarromah, M., & Hien, T. L. (2022). Juridical Examination of Child Protection against Violence under Law Number 35 of 2014: A Case Study in Purwokerto, Indonesia. The Digest: Journal of Jurisprudence and Legisprudence, 3(2), 139–172.
Probosiwi, R., & Bahransyaf, D. (2015). Pedofilia dan kekerasan seksual: Masalah dan perlindungan terhadap anak. Sosio Informa, 52836.
Rachmalia, A. P., & Harisman, H. (2024). Penegakan Hukum Panti Asuhan Yang Mengeksploitasi Anak Sebagai Pengemis Melalui Aplikasi TikTok Di Kota Medan. UNES Law Review, 6(3), 8457–8462.
Rizky, L., Salampessy, M. A. S., & Achdyana, I. (2022). The Effectiveness of The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Regime by UNICEF in Encouraging the Implementation of Child Protection in SoutheastAsian Countries. JASSP, 2(1), 12–20.
Sihombing, B. (2024). Analisis Yuridis terhadap Pelaku Tindak Pidana Penganiayaan Anak (Studi Putusan: Nomor 2561/Pid. Sus/2022/PN Mdn). Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Soekanto, S. (2012). Penelitiаn Hukum Normаtif. PT. Raja Grafindo Persada.
Susilowati, C. M. I., Suwartiningsih, S., & Siahaan, H. M. (2023). Child Marriages and Criminal Law Policy in Indonesia: Exploring Legal Reform Possibilities. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 18(2), 139–150.
Tafuli, V. C., Asa, S., & Resopijani, A. (2024). Peran Satuan Bakti Pekerja Sosial dalam Penanganan Kasus Anak Terlantar di Kota Kupang Berdasarkan Peraturan Perundang-Undangan di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum, Politik Dan Ilmu Sosial, 3(2), 295–314.
Wismayanti, Y. F., O’Leary, P., Tilbury, C., & Tjoe, Y. (2019). Child sexual abuse in Indonesia: A systematic review of literature, law and policy. Child Abuse & Neglect, 95, 104034.
