Reconstruction of Legal Protection for Child Victims of Sexual Violence Based on a Justice Perspective

This study examines public perceptions of legal protection for child victims of sexual violence and proposes a conceptual reconstruction of legal protection based on substantive justice. It addresses the need to integrate victim recovery, criminal accountability, and state responsibility within a comprehensive child-protection framework. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed using an online questionnaire distributed to more than 60 respondents through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using frequency distributions and percentages to identify patterns in perceptions of legal protection, restorative justice, victim assistance, and state responsibility. The findings were subsequently examined through John Rawls's theory of justice as fairness. Approximately 78% of respondents prioritized victim recovery as the primary objective of legal protection, while 82% favored restorative justice. Legal and psychological assistance (75%), identity protection (70%), and sustainable rehabilitation services (68%) were identified as important protection needs. Furthermore, approximately 85% supported an active state role in preventing sexual violence and facilitating victim recovery. These findings indicate that respondents generally favored a comprehensive approach extending beyond offender punishment. The study proposes a justice-oriented conceptual framework integrating rights-based legal protection, victim-centred recovery, institutional coordination, and prevention of further harm. Grounded in Rawlsian justice, this framework emphasizes that victim recovery and criminal accountability should operate as complementary components of legal protection. The findings offer conceptual and policy considerations for strengthening child protection in Indonesia, although further empirical evaluation is required to establish the framework's practical effectiveness.