Former Circus Performers Allege Abuse, Exploitation at Indonesian Safari Park

JAKARTA, Indonesia ⁣– Several women who formerly performed wiht​ Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) have⁤ come forward with disturbing accounts of ⁣abuse and exploitation ⁤allegedly suffered during their time with the circus, including performances at the Indonesian safari park.

The women shared their experiences ⁣with a government official on⁣ Tuesday, detailing years of alleged physical violence,⁢ exploitation, ‍and inhumane treatment.

Chained ‍and Beaten:‍ A Performer’s Account

Butet, one of the former circus performers, described the harsh conditions she allegedly endured during training and performances.

“if my ‌performance ⁢during a show⁣ wasn’t up to par, I was beaten,” Butet stated ​at the Ministry‌ of Human Rights office in ‌Jakarta on⁣ Tuesday.“I was chained by my feet with ⁢an elephant chain, ⁢making​ it⁣ difficult even to relieve myself.”

Butet further claimed that she was forced to perform while pregnant and was⁤ later ‍separated from ‌her child.

“Even while pregnant, I was forced to⁣ continue ⁣performing. After giving birth, I was separated from my child and couldn’t breastfeed,” Butet said, fighting back tears. “I⁤ was even force-fed elephant excrement‍ as I was caught eating meat.”

Butet also revealed​ that she ⁣allegedly​ never knew her true ⁣identity,including her real name,family,or age,as these were allegedly ‍fabricated when she began ⁣working ‍for the circus as a ⁤child.

Cycle of Abuse: Daughter’s Experience

fifi,Butet’s daughter,recounted a ⁤similar experience growing up in the circus.

According to ⁤Fifi, she was raised in the⁣ circus habitat ⁢from birth without knowing who her parents‌ were.

Fifi stated that she was taken ⁤by one of OCI’s managers at birth and‌ only realized Butet⁣ was her mother later in life.

Butet said she entrusted Fifi to the care of others because she could not provide a stable life for​ her.

Fifi described feeling uncomfortable living in the circus environment and allegedly ran away due to the ​abuse she experienced.

“I was dragged and ​locked in ⁤a tiger cage, making ​it difficult to relieve myself,” Fifi said. “I ‌couldn’t take it anymore, so I ran through the forest⁤ at ​night ⁢to Cisarua. Residents helped me,‌ but I⁢ was‍ eventually found again.”