Cases of violence against children are rampant, what can we do?

The care of parents or adults is very important to break the chain of violence.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Citizens crossed a billboard urging to stop violence against women and children at the entrance of the Bekasi City Hall, West Java, Wednesday (June 23, 2021).

Almost every day, news about various acts of violence against children and women reach our ears or gadgets. Inappropriate and painful treatments in the form of physical, psychological, and even sexual violence make the heart sad.

Perpetrators of violence are often known and close in the child's life. Parents or family members, neighbors, friends, and even teachers or religious figures are revealed as perpetrators of violence.

Women's Sector Coordinator DAMAR Association Lampung Selly Fitriani said that various studies and experiences in the field showed that the violence experienced by the victims had a very negative impact. serious. Victims of violence can feel afraid and helpless. They can also experience nightmares, phobias, stress and anxiety along with physical pain.

In addition, victims may also feel guilty, ashamed, have a negative self-image, feel different from others, and even become angry with themselves. They may also feel betrayed and lose trust.

"Trust is a major issue for victims of sexual violence. If a child experiences sexual violence from a perpetrator who is a close family member, it will make the child feel betrayed and difficult to trust others," said Selly during a discussion event entitled Building Protection and Prevention of Violence in Education and Family, in Bandar Lampung on Tuesday (April 30, 2024)."

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

Children are enthusiastic about voicing the fulfillment of children's rights, including calls to stop violence against children.

The activity was organized by the Lampung Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Agency in collaboration with the Forum for Community Participation Communication in Women's Empowerment and Child Protection in Lampung Province.

Selly added that in the long run, vulnerable victims are at risk of experiencing violence again or even potentially becoming perpetrators of violence. That is why cases of violence need to be a serious concern for all parties, especially parents.

Care

Parental or adult concern is very important to prevent and break the chain of violence against children. Parents need to pay special attention if their children experience changes in behavior, such as becoming quiet, moody or withdrawn. Children experiencing painful things can also affect children's enthusiasm for learning at school.

When discovering acts of violence, parents or adults can help by taking the victim to a clinic and requesting medical records, seeking psychological assistance for emotional recovery, reporting to the police, as well as consulting legal aid organizations. Another important step is to safeguard the victim's identity and empower them to remain strong.

If a child experiences sexual violence from someone close to them, even their own family, it will make the child feel betrayed and have difficulty trusting others.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Carrying posters that promote the campaign "Stop Violence Against Women and Children," residents joined a healthy walk event with the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga, in the Hotel Indonesia roundabout area, Jakarta on Sunday (25/9/2022).

Jeni Rahmawati from Forkom Puspa Lampung said that acts of violence against children can not only occur in the real world, but also in cyberspace. Children can receive various acts of violence, such as bullying and harassment, on social media.

Therefore, parents must have technological skills to be able to monitor their children's activities in accessing social media. In addition, parents also need to monitor the content of TV shows or online activities accessed by their children through devices.

Also read: The Tragedy of Child Abuse and Portrait of Poverty in North Lampung

Report

The Head of the Lampung PPPA Agency, Fitrianita Damhuri, stated that service officers receive 5-6 reports of violence against women and children every day. The high number of reports indicates an increasing awareness among the community to report cases of violence. However, the large number of violence cases against women and children in Lampung also requires further efforts in prevention.

The recent cases of sexual violence uncovered in Lampung have also been heartbreaking. In North Lampung Regency, N (15), a junior high school student, was a victim of sexual violence by 10 young men in mid-February 2024. The victim, who suffered from severe depression, attempted suicide twice at home.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The message to stop violence against children is manifested in a mural on Jalan Raya Meruyung, Depok, West Java.

Based on data from the Lampung PPPA Service, throughout February 2024, there were 62 reported cases of violence against children and women in Lampung. Of that number, 50 percent of the reports were cases of sexual violence. Most of the victims were children aged 6-17 years.

Member of the DPR Commission III, Taufik Basari, said that Lampung province is one of the regions receiving attention from the central government due to the high number of cases of violence against children and women. He urges the police to thoroughly investigate these cases. Law enforcement officials are also being asked to impose punishments that would have a deterrent effect on the perpetrators.

Also read: Severe Trauma, Victim of Sexual Violence in Lampung Attempts Suicide