THE ROLE OF THE PROSECUTION IN PROVIDING LEGAL PROTECTION TO CHILDREN AS WITNESSES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Abstract

The Prosecutor's Office is an authorized body in enforcing law and justice. The prosecutor's role and aim is to control the case process (Dominus Litis), having a central position in law enforcement and protection, in providing legal protection to children as witnesses in the criminal justice system. The research method used is sociological juridical by collecting primary data directly in the field and secondary data in the form of statutory regulations, journals and scientific works. The research specification used is a descriptive analytical method carried out by interviewing predetermined respondents. This research was carried out at the Banjar Regency District Prosecutor's Office. The results of this research can be concluded: The role of the Prosecutor's Office in providing legal protection for children as witnesses is carried out in accordance with their duties and authority by providing guarantees of physical, mental and social safety and having access to information regarding case developments and children as witnesses must obtain their rights based on the best interests of the child and respect for the child. The obstacles faced are lack of sufficient budget, lack of complete facilities and infrastructure and less than optimal cooperation between the Police, Prosecutor's Office and Courts, non-governmental organizations and other law enforcement officials. The solution to overcome these obstacles is to increase coordination with the Police, especially the Police in the PPA Unit, community assistance, the criminal acts committed by the perpetrator must really be proven in finding the material truth at trial, because the impact of the perpetrator's actions can rob the child of their future and can result in quite severe trauma for the victim, namely the child.