PENEGAKAN HUKUM PIDANA TERHADAP PELAKU PENCABULAN PADA ANAK LAKI-LAKI DI KOTA MALANG (Studi di Polresta Malang Kota)

Sexual abuse against male children is not only a violation of children’s rights but also a serious challenge in the process of criminal law enforcement. This research examines how the Malang City Police (Polresta Malang) handle cases of sexual abuse against male children and identifies the obstacles encountered at each stage, from reporting to the submission of case files to the prosecutor’s office. The method used is an empirical juridical approach, with data collected through interviews, observations, questionnaires, and case documentation. The findings reveal that criminal law enforcement has generally been carried out in accordance with the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the Criminal Code (KUHP), and Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, covering stages of investigation, inquiry, and case transfer. However, the process does not always run optimally due to several challenges in practice, such as evidentiary difficulties, the limited number of specialized investigators in the Women and Children Protection Unit (Unit PPA), weak inter-agency coordination, and low reporting rates caused by social stigma against male victims. Applying Lawrence M. Friedman’s legal system theory, this study finds that the legal structure and substance are relatively sufficient, yet the prevailing legal culture in society remains the main barrier. The research emphasizes that the success of criminal law enforcement against sexual abuse of male children depends not only on the existence of legal provisions but also on the readiness of law enforcement officers, the availability of supporting facilities, and collective awareness to protect victims. In this context, it is important to understand that the primary aim of the Child Protection Law is not merely to punish offenders but also to ensure protection, recovery, and fulfillment of the victims’ rights.