Transformative Justice for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: Legal Protection and Applications in Restorative Approaches
Authors: Aziz Hasnah , Hafidati Putri , Sagala Rotua 
Published: December 2023

Abstract. Sexual violence, causing direct and indirect physical, psychological, and cultural harm, is considered a violation of human rights, especially when committed against children. This requires comprehensive intervention from families, the government, and society. The study theoretically examines transformative justice for child victims of sexual abuse. The research adopts a restorative justice approach, analyzing legal protection for the rights of child victims of sexual violence under various Indonesian regulations and assessing the application of restorative justice models. This study utilizes a normative juridical approach and employs a descriptive-analytical legal research specification. The results indicate that existing legislation, such as Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection and Law No. 12/2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes, can protect and fulfill the rights of child victims without discrimination. Furthermore, the application of restorative justice in the context of legal protection for the rights of child victims of violence can be seen as a representation of transformative justice through various criminal justice mechanisms. Restorative justice models, such as Family Group Conferencing, Circles of Support and Accountability, Victim-Offender Mediation, Community Conferencing, and Therapeutic Jurisprudence, play a crucial role in shaping effective responses and interventions for child victims of sexual abuse. This involves deepening shared responsibilities, including mediating, appointing community services for offenders, developing empathy groups and victim panels, facilitating dialogue, and fostering the offender’s apology to the victim and society, while increasing awareness among victims.
Keywords: Sexual violence, Human rights violation, Restorative justice, Child protection, Legal analysis
Abstrak. Kekerasan seksual, yang menyebabkan kerugian fisik, psikologis, dan budaya secara langsung maupun tidak langsung, dianggap sebagai pelanggaran hak asasi manusia, terutama saat terjadi terhadap anak-anak. Hal ini memerlukan intervensi komprehensif dari keluarga, pemerintah, dan masyarakat. Studi ini secara teoritis mengkaji keadilan transformatif bagi korban kekerasan seksual anak. Penelitian ini mengadopsi pendekatan keadilan restoratif, menganalisis perlindungan hukum untuk hak-hak korban kekerasan seksual anak di bawah berbagai peraturan Indonesia, dan menilai penerapan model keadilan restoratif. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan yuridis normatif dan menerapkan spesifikasi penelitian hukum deskriptif-analitis. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa undang-undang yang ada, seperti Undang-Undang Nomor 35/2014 tentang Perlindungan Anak dan Undang-Undang Nomor 12/2022 tentang Kejahatan Kekerasan Seksual, dapat melindungi dan memenuhi hak-hak korban anak tanpa diskriminasi. Selain itu, penerapan keadilan restoratif dalam konteks perlindungan hukum bagi hak-hak korban kekerasan anak dapat dilihat sebagai representasi keadilan transformatif melalui berbagai mekanisme hukum pidana. Model keadilan restoratif, seperti Konseling Kelompok Keluarga, Lingkaran Dukungan dan Pertanggungjawaban, Mediasi Pelaku dan Korban, Konferensi Komunitas, dan Yurisprudensi Terapeutik, memainkan peran krusial dalam membentuk respons dan intervensi yang efektif bagi korban kekerasan seksual anak. Ini melibatkan pendalaman tanggung jawab bersama, termasuk mediasi, penunjukan layanan masyarakat bagi pelaku, pengembangan kelompok empati dan panel korban, memfasilitasi dialog, dan memfasilitasi permintaan maaf pelaku kepada korban dan masyarakat, sekaligus meningkatkan kesadaran di kalangan korban.
Kata kunci: Kekerasan seksual, Pelanggaran hak asasi manusia, Keadilan restoratif, Perlindungan anak, Analisis hukum