Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - The Central Java government is serious about responding to the increasing cases of child abduction in the province, Governor Ganjar Pranowo has said.
"Yesterday, a lot of WhatsApp (messages) came to me (and) it was a serious concern for us that people can commit criminal acts of child kidnapping and trafficking, and we must pay attention," he informed here on Tuesday.
Pranowo urged people to not panic over the rising cases of child kidnapping. He also asked parents to be more concerned about and affectionate with their children.
"Do not make people anxious; if there are (cases of) kidnapping and so on, report it. Families must take care and love their children," the governor added.
He also encouraged adults must take care of not only their own children, but also children in their surrounding areas.
"Anyone, if there is a child, we should feel that it is our own child, and all parties have an obligation to protect children," he said.
The governor also instructed his staff to activate and share numbers that the public can contact to report cases of child kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the Central Java Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning (DP3AKB) has opened an information center for assisting women and children.
The contact number of the office for violence-related services and consultation is 085799664444.
In addition, a family consultation service is being offered on 0857999972111. Residents can also contact 024-76632577.
On Tuesday, local police started investigating an alleged attempted kidnapping of an 11-year-old, identified by the initial N, in the Pedurungan area of Semarang city, Central Java.
Chief of the Pedurungan Police, Commissioner Dina Novitasari, informed that N was buying flour at a store when two strangers on motorcycles approached her. She screamed when they tried to take her away, which prompted them to flee, she added.