Bali’s Silent Crisis: 1 in 3 Indonesian Children Face Violence – What’s Being Done?

1 The National Picture: A Wake-Up Call

• 28,831 cases of violence against children were recorded in 2024 by Indonesia’s Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA).

• 53% occurred in households, with sexual violence as the most prevalent form.

• Schools are not safe havens: 35% of 114 school violence cases documented by the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) occurred on campus, while toilets—often neglected and unsupervised—are hotspots for abuse.

2 Bali’s Unique Challenges

While Bali’s tight-knit communities foster collective child-rearing (“ngayah”), the island’s rapid urbanization and tourism-driven economy have strained traditional safeguards. Key issues include:

1. Underreported Cases: Fear of shaming families (“malu”) silences victims.

2. Tourism’s Dark Side: Street children in Kuta and Denpasar face exploitation.

3. School Safety Gaps: Many Balinese schools lack trained counselors and child-friendly sanitation facilities.

3 Local Solutions, Global Lessons

Bali is responding with innovative measures:

• “Sekolah Ramah Anak” (Child-Friendly Schools): Piloted in Gianyar, these schools integrate trauma-informed training for teachers.

• Community-Based Surveillance: Village councils (“banjars”) now include child protection modules in monthly meetings.

• Tourism Sector Accountability: Hotels in Ubud and Nusa Dua partner with NGOs like Yayasan Bali Hati to identify and report exploitation.

“Child protection in Bali requires gotong royong (collective effort),” says Putu Widiastuti, a child rights activist in Denpasar. “From stricter enforcement of Indonesia’s *Child Protection Law (No. 35/2014)* to tourists reporting suspicious behavior—everyone has a role.”

As Bali’s Hindu communities prepare for Galungan, a time of spiritual renewal, advocates urge a parallel commitment to shielding children. The island’s future depends on it.

By Giostanoavlatto