Legal Protection for Victims of Rape of Minors by Stepfathers Reviewed from Law No. 35 of 2014 Concerning Child Protection

Abstract

This study aims to analyze legal protection for victims of rape of minors by stepfathers, reviewed from Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection. Rape by stepfathers is a form of sexual violence that often occurs but is often not reported by victims or families due to various factors, such as fear of social stigma and family breakdown. This study uses a normative legal approach to examine the implementation of existing laws and the obstacles faced in handling these cases. The results of the study show that although the Child Protection Law provides clear legal protection for victims, implementation in the field still encounters various obstacles, such as the lack of adequate protection facilities in the regions and the lack of public understanding of the importance of reporting cases of sexual violence. In addition, many families choose to resolve cases of sexual violence internally, so that these cases do not reach the legal process. This study also found that the role of law enforcement officers and child protection institutions is very important in ensuring that children's rights are properly protected. Therefore, it is necessary to increase public awareness, education about children's rights, and improve rehabilitation facilities to support the victim's recovery process.