Seven men in Padang, West Sumatra allegedly raped two underage girls in a despicable crime that was reportedly spearheaded by the victims’ grandfather.
The victims, aged 5 and 9, were reportedly raped repeatedly by their grandfather, uncle, three elder brothers, a neighbor and a family acquaintance. All of the suspects, minus the latter two, are in police custody.
Padang City Police Crime Investigation Unit Chief Rico Fernanda said the sexual abuse had been going on for quite some time and was inititated by the grandfather, identified as 70-year-old DJ, at their family home in South Padang.
“It occurred repeatedly. The first one [who did it] was their grandfather. When the grandfather acted upon the victims, it was witnessed by his grandsons, who then also committed the obscene act against their younger sisters. There are three brothers, all of them participated [in the crime], including their uncle and neighbor,” Rico said on Wednesday.
The victims recently told their neighbors that they were afraid to go home due to the sexual abuse. Along with the neighborhood chief (RT), they then filed a police report against the suspects.
According to Rico, the victims are heavily traumatized to the point that they’re afraid of meeting adults, especially men. They have been placed at a safehouse, and are set to receive treatment from psychologists. Their medical examination shows damage in their genitals.
The case is being handled by the Padang City Police’s Women and Children Protection Unit. Police have so far named the grandfather, uncle, and one of the older brothers as suspects, and are in pursuit of the uncle’s friend and neighbor.
The other two brothers are under 12 years old, meaning that they will be prosecuted and tried as minors.
The suspects in custody have been charged with multiple violations of Indonesia’s Child Protection Law, including articles on coercion and statutory rape, which can see them imprisoned for 15 years or more.
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