PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP KORBAN TINDAK PIDANA EKSPLOITASI ANAK DIBAWAH UMUR AKIBAT KETERBATASAN EKONOMI

Abstract

Children are considered the most valuable wealth and have human rights that must be upheld, but are vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation. Various modes, such as fake work with the lure of profit, can trap children in situations of exploitation. This study aims to determine how legal protection, the background of criminal acts and the efforts of law enforcement officials in overcoming the occurrence of criminal acts of exploitation of minors and their obstacles. This type of research uses a type of normative-empirical research in the form of legal behavior, for example reviewing laws combined with their implementation in every legal event that occurs in a society. The results of the study show that punitive measures for child exploitation refer to Law No. 35 of 2014 while protecting the rights of children so that the problem is not exposed and causes bad things to children. The law guarantees children's right to live, grow, develop, and participate in all aspects of life without discrimination. Law enforcement's own efforts include investigation, arrest and prosecution, victim protection and prevention with the support of public awareness. On the other hand, the lack of reporting of the reality that arises on the ground to the authorities and the slow pace of victims of child exploitation who report their problems and the lack of public knowledge and awareness in child protection efforts cause many cases that should be handled to be missed so that victims of child exploitation do not get the proper treatment and protection.

Keywords : Legal protection, criminal act, economic exploitation