Daycare abuse; Momentum to improve child services and protection

Indonesian authorities have named 13 suspects following the discovery of systemic abuse and neglect at a Yogyakarta daycare facility, where dozens of children—some as young as three months—were reportedly mistreated.

Police raids uncovered distressing evidence, including photos and videos of children with their hands and feet bound, wearing only diapers. Some children suffered visible injuries and were housed in inhumane conditions, with approximately 20 children crowded into each of three 3×3-meter rooms.

The suspects face multiple charges related to child protection and could be sentenced to up to eight years in prison. Investigations suggest the abuse occurred over the course of a year, since the facility began operations.

Systemic Failures in Yogyakarta Daycare Abuse

The case has highlighted critical gaps in the nation’s childcare infrastructure. Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi revealed that 44% of daycares in Indonesia operate without a permit.

Management standards are similarly lacking, with approximately 20% of facilities lacking standard operating procedures (SOPs). Additionally, 66.7% of the human resources managing these centers are not certified.

Minister Fauzi noted that while the demand for daycare is rising—with 75% of Indonesian families utilizing these services—the recruitment and training of caregivers remain largely non-standardized.

National Evaluation and Reforms

The ministry is providing psychosocial assistance and sustainable recovery services to the victims and their families. Minister Fauzi stated this tragedy serves as momentum for a national evaluation of childcare service standards.

The government is now promoting the Child-Friendly Foster Care (TARA) certification under Ministerial Regulation No. 4 of 2024. This program establishes child rights-based care principles, monitoring systems, and a mandatory code of ethics for safeguarding children.

Calls for State Accountability

Selly Andriany Gantina, a member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), criticized the commercialization of childcare without adequate safeguards. She urged a comprehensive national audit of all daycare centers, focusing on legality and staff competence.

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani emphasized that the state is obligated to ensure the safety of children in care facilities, as mandated by Law Number 4 of 2024 concerning Maternal and Child Welfare.

Maharani warned that the Yogyakarta case proves the public need for childcare is growing faster than the protection systems designed to oversee them. She called for a stricter monitoring and licensing system capable of detecting risks before violations occur.