According to a report from Kompas.id published on January 18, 2025, Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) Commissioner Diyah Puspitarini stated that Indonesia is currently facing a filicide emergency. Throughout the year, KPAI recorded 60 cases of child murder by their parents. She explained that filicide in Indonesia is caused by economic, social factors, and a lack of parental understanding in child-rearing. Referring to the SIMFONI-PPA data from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPA) as of January 2025, cases of violence committed by parents ranked third, with 299 cases.

An academic report titled Filicide: A Literature Review, published by The University of Manchester, defines filicide as the murder of a child under the age of 18 committed by biological parents, guardians, or stepparents.
Novita Anggraeni, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist at the Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP), stated that filicide is a form of gender-based violence that occurs against children. In family relations, children are the most vulnerable group. “In every family facing issues such as economic hardship or other conflicts, children often become the outlet for anger when parents cannot express it to their partners, as a result of power relations or as a tool to show control,” she said on Monday (February 10).

Furthermore, Novita explained that violence against children is a derivative of gender-based violence experienced by women within families, as well as the gender-biased norms in society.
“In cases of altruistic filicide, where parents kill their children to prevent them from suffering, this is often committed by women who are victims of domestic violence. A sense of helplessness due to the imbalanced power dynamics in the family and despair from feeling that they have no other options often drives women, especially those who are victims of violence, to become perpetrators,” she continued.

She also explained that male superiority plays a role in filicide. Toxic masculinity drives men to interpret family leadership as ownership. This also becomes a reason why men commit various forms of violence to control their families.
A study titled Analysis of Factors and Efforts to Address Domestic Violence by Husbands Against Wives and Children (2024) mentions that openness and communication are key factors in the occurrence of domestic violence. “Gender equality in families needs to be encouraged because equal respect for women and children will gradually change the culture of violence within the home. In equal families, healthy communication patterns that strengthen each other are built, minimizing frustration and negative emotions that may lead to violence, including filicide,” explained Novita.

She further stated that filicide cases can be prevented if society collectively becomes more aware of recognizing signs of violence against women and children. “Domestic violence (DV) is not a private matter; everyone has a responsibility to intervene when signs of violence appear. In some cases, filicide is the culmination of a series of violent acts against a child, including witnessing physical, verbal, or economic violence towards women,” she added.

According to her, if someone becomes a victim of long-term violence and feels unsupported, they may become desperate, unable to protect their child, and this can lead to filicide. “Mental maturity and the ability to understand one’s own needs and emotions help people assess risks and avoid filicide. Children raised in violent households tend to imitate or tolerate such behavior. When they grow up, they may become perpetrators themselves or accept various forms of violence, seeing it as a solution,” concluded Novita.

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika