Reporter: Ahmad Hadid
Umah Ramah participates as a resource person for the Socialization of Prevention and Handling of Violence against Women and Children on November 12, 2024, at the Hall of the Regional Education Office of Cirebon Regency, located at Jl. Sunan Drajat No.10, Sumber, Cirebon Regency.
The event held by Dinas Pengendalian Penduduk, Keluarga Berencana, Pemberdayaan Perempuan, dan Perlindungan Anak (DPPKBP3A; the Regional Population Control, Family Planning, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Office of Cirebon Regency), was intended for educators from Cirebon Regency Education Units.
During the socialization forum attended by one hundred BK (Bimbingan Konseling; Guidance and Counseling) teachers, the Director of Umah Ramah, Asih Widiyowati, explained that violence against children, such as bullying or harassment, does not occur in isolation. Violence always occurs in the context of life, which encompasses many aspects, including social, cultural, and economic factors.
“One thing we never understand is that violence frequently reoccurs. People who commit violence are more likely to have experienced it themselves. Children who bully at school are usually those who have been bullied before,” she explained.
Asih also explained that bullying can occur anywhere, and the perpetrators could be anyone. In fact, the perpetrators are often people close to them, such as friends, seniors, boyfriends, or teachers.
“Violence occurs because of power dynamics. Due to their lack of independence and continued reliance on others, children are particularly susceptible to violence. Children are positioned as the weak party in power dynamics and frequently encounter violence as a result,” she said.
Children who see or experience violence may react in a variety of ways, such as fight (retaliation), flight (run away), or freeze (helplessly stunted). Self-harm, or injuring themself, and in certain situations, suicide, are the worst effects that can occur.
Teachers and adults should therefore be aware that dealing with children who witness, experience, or engage in violence necessitates a humane approach.
“Avoid using violence to eradicate it. And also, don’t label kids carelessly because it could stick and become a character,” she concluded.
Violence against women and children still happens frequently, according to the head of the Women and Children Protection Division (Kepala Bidang Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak; Kabid PPA) DPPKBP3A of Cirebon Regency, Saniri. Despite the limited numbers, reports are consistently received each year in Cirebon Regency.
“There were 101 cases in 2022, 110 cases in 2023, and 74 cases in 2024. According to these reports, 80 percent of cases occurred in children,” she noted.
She said the issue of violence against women and children is like an iceberg. Incidents that appear to be quite minor, yet there are plenty more going on in society than that.
“What makes children or people who experience violence not dare to report it is because most of the perpetrators are people close to them,” she stated.
She also urged everyone to speak up and report any violence against women and children to the Sumber-based PPKBP3A Service. You can also report it to the UPTD5A in each sub-district if it’s far from Sumber.
“There are field line workers there called Motekar (Motivator Ketahanan Keluarga; Family Resilience Motivator),” she concluded. []
This article was translated by Napol Riel.