A video of a woman slapping a primary school student went viral on social media in Indonesia over the weekend, resulting in criminal charges against the alleged assaulter.
The incident reportedly took place at Siapala Elementary School in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.
The woman, identified as 41-year-old nurse named Manting, slapped an 8-year-old girl, identified by her initials DA, on Saturday, during the school’s report card day.
Manting’s child, who is a classmate of DA, reportedly told her that DA accidentally hurt him/her with a broom about a week ago. In the video, Manting can be seen slapping DA until she cried and an unidentified woman was heard scolding the former.
DA and her family then reported the case to Makassar’s Integrated Center for Women and Children Empowerment office (P2TP2A). DA said there were no teachers inside the classroom at the time, and that she was slapped before report cards were distributed.
“There were no teachers, only my friends. The woman entered the classroom, asking who hit my child. I said, it was me ma’am. So she went near me then she immediately slapped me twice,” DA told Kompas yesterday.
DA said a teacher gave Manting a warning upon finding out about the incident. The primary schooler reportedly suffered a bruise under her left eye and was traumatized by the slapping.
Manting was arrested at her home over the weekend by the Makassar Police.
“The suspect admitted to have committed violence or torment against the victim using the palm, twice on the face,” Makassar Police’s Crime Unit Chief Indratmoko told Kompas yesterday.
Manting has been charged with violation of Indonesia’s Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum sentence of three years and six months in prison or an IDR72 million (US$5,174) fine.
Read more news from Coconuts Jakarta
Reader Interactions