Jakarta (ANTARA) – Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi underscored the importance of protecting the identities of child abuse victims, reminding all parties to be cautious when sharing information.According to her, protecting their identity is part of the effort to shield victims from stigma, social pressure, and long-term trauma.”Digital footprints can last for a very long time and potentially cause psychological impact for the child in the future,” she said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.In this regard, she added, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection urges that any content potentially revealing the victim's identity be reported immediately so it can be removed from digital platforms.Fauzi made the remarks in response to the alleged sexual abuse of an 8-year-old girl in Asahan District, North Sumatra.The ministry continues to coordinate with law enforcement and local governments to ensure the case is handled in accordance with legal provisions by upholding the principle of the best interests of the child.This includes the fulfillment of the victim's rights to assistance and comprehensive recovery.”The handling of such cases must not only focus on legal proceedings against the perpetrator but also ensure the victim receives psychological counseling, social support, and legal assistance for an optimal recovery,” the minister stressed.The sexual abuse case in Asahan first came to light after the victim's mother received information from the girl's friend.The mother then sought further details from her daughter before reporting the incident to the police on October 13, 2023. The perpetrator has now been named a suspect and is in police custody.