SEXUAL HARASSMENT BY CHILDREN IN THE ACEH PROVINCE: A CASE STUDY ON THE JINAYAT BYLAW

Abstract

The Aceh province is a special autonomous region with the authority to carry out Islamic Sharia. Article 125 of Law Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Aceh Government emphasizes that the Sharia implemented in Aceh includes aqidah (creed), syar’iyah, and akhlaq (disposition). However, Sharia implementation in Aceh has not fully affected the social conditions of its people, especially since child crimes, such as sexual harassment, still happen. Acehnese people are religious and view the relationship between men and women as sacred and can only happen through marriage. Hence, sexual harassment is against the Acehnese people’s Islamic life views and beliefs. This study aims to explain the factors that cause children to commit sexual harassment in Aceh Province. This study is empirical legal research that collects primary and secondary data. Data analysis employed a descriptive-analytical approach. The study shows that children commit sexual harassment in Aceh due to two factors, namely internal factors, i.e., children’s lack of religious knowledge and sexual desire, and external factors, i.e., lack of parental supervision as well as influence from communication and social media.