Policy for Combating Child Trafficking in North Sumatra Province

Abstract

Child trafficking has been occurring in North Sumatra Province since before the independence of the Republic of Indonesia until now. Addressing child trafficking still has issues that must be enforced for the sake of children's interests and rights, both at the investigation, prosecution, and sentencing levels against the perpetrators. North Sumatra Province has been a driving force in formulating regulations related to human trafficking, especially of women and children, even before the enactment of Law No. 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of Human Trafficking, which must be accompanied by the reform of national criminal law. This paper aims to develop a legal framework, design the implementation of law enforcement, and formulate legal reforms regarding child trafficking in North Sumatra Province. This research is a socio-legal study oriented towards the legal policy of child trafficking in North Sumatra Province, providing direct input into the policy-making process with a multi- or interdisciplinary approach. Related to the legal framework, the perpetrators of child trafficking are individuals, and law enforcement uses Law No. 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons and Law No. 35 of 2014 on Amendments to Law No. 23 of 2002 on Child Protection to punish the perpetrators of child trafficking. The effectiveness of combating child trafficking in North Sumatra Province has not yet been measurable because the archived data still combines the number of child victims and adult victims in human trafficking cases. However, there have been no repeat offenders of child trafficking after serving their sentences. Legal reforms related to combating child trafficking in North Sumatra Province use penal measures. Regional regulations must align with the Criminal Code and related laws that are in accordance with the national criminal law reforms.