Jakarta. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has uncovered alleged transactions related to child prostitution. According to PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana, these transactions involve 24,049 children aged 10 to 18 years.

"The transactions are strongly suspected to be related to prostitution and also pornography. There are approximately 130,000 transactions involving 24,000 children, amounting to Rp 127.371 billion," Ivan Yustiavandana said during a press conference at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) office in Central Jakarta on Friday.

Ivan added that this data would be discussed with KPAI for serious handling. He emphasized PPATK's commitment to doing its best to protect children and women in Indonesia.

At the same event, KPAI Chair Ai Maryati revealed that from 2021 to 2023, 481 cases were reported, which she said was just the tip of the iceberg. In the same period, there were 431 cases of child exploitation and trafficking.

"So, in total, almost 900 children are in situations and conditions of exploitation and child sexual abuse material or pornography," Ai Maryati said.

Ai said children are being targeted through online sexual and economic exploitation, pornography, and other cybercrime. The buying and selling of child pornography content controlled by adults and involving children through digital payments and banking. 

Digital financial services such as e-wallets and e-money as well as foreign exchanges are also being used to facilitate the exploitation and pornography transactions.

She said that resolving these cases has been difficult due to money laundering practices and a lack of a "follow the money" investigation.