The police in Buleleng regency have arrested an 18-year-old man, identified as FSB, for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old girl, a crime to which he confessed to yesterday.
“I am dating her, we like each other and there was no coercion. It’s because we live in the same village, I grew to like her and I started to flirt,” FSB said, as quoted by Nusa Bali.
The 18-year-old was officially declared a suspect on Wednesday, after he was questioned by the police. According to Nusa Bali, FSB asked his victim, identified as PA, to engage in sex with him four times.
FSB seemingly didn’t understand that it is illegal for him to have a sexual relationship with PA, who is a minor that only recently graduated from primary school. The two reportedly have been exchanging text messages for a while, until Fredy had sexual relations with her on May 24.
The case was brought to light by PA’s parents, who reported the matter to the police after finding disturbing messages on PA’s phone and confirming the nature of her relationship with the suspect.
“Maybe she was afraid. I asked her patiently, and finally she admitted. She said she was assaulted one time,” PA’s father, who said he wanted to remain anonymous, told Bali Express.
Iptu Dewa Putu Sudiasa from the Buleleng Police said officials have gathered enough evidence to declare FSB a suspect, including PA’s uniform and screenshots of their text messages.
“Even if there is a mediation effort from both sides, the legal process will still proceed,” Sudiasa said, as quoted by Kumparan.
Under Indonesia’s 2002 Law on Child Protection, FSB is facing a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of IDR 5 billion (USD 353,800).
