Act against online prostitution, govt told

JAKARTA: The government needs to impose sanctions on digital platform providers linked to online prostitution, especially if it involves children.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) chairman Susanto made the call, stressing on the need to deal with online prostitution, Antara News agency reported.

“KPAI has asked the Communication and Information Technology Ministry to take steps to curb digital media applications ... as that they are very easy to abuse, including (targeting) children.”

Businesses should support the implementation of child protection laws, mandated by Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection, as they concern those who were vulnerable.

For example, under the law, it was prohibited to employ children, especially as labourers (because it damages their health, safety and morality).

Susanto said it was of grave concern when the Metro Jaya Police revealed the practice of sexual exploitation of children in prostitution at hotels here.

On March 18, police rescued 15 child prostitution victims at a hotel owned by a public figure.

“KPAI sees this case as a structured crime that contains elements of the recruitment of minors in online application advertisements by pimps, then transfer, placement, holding and reception at hotels by exploiting economically vulnerable children for sexual exploitation,” he said.

Susanto said there was also an indication of human trafficking connected to hotels.

KPAI urged the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to implement laws that involved hotels, so action could be taken against establishments that broke the rules.

Hotels must implement the Children Right Of Business Principle, which regulates the responsibility of the business entities for child protection, he added.