Child Protection Program

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND RESULTS: CHILD PROTECTION PROBLEM STATEMENT ON CHILD PROTECTION ISSUE

Based on the data, Indonesia has 82.5 million children aged 0-18 years old, or around 33% of the total population of Indonesia, which reaches 255 million. The results of the 2021 National Survey of Child and Adolescent Life Experiences (SNPHAR) survey showed that the prevalence of violence against children as much as 3 out of 10 boys and 4 out of 10 girls aged 13-17 years had experienced one or more types of violence in their lifetime.

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) recorded at least 11,952 cases of child violence, with the majority of sexual violence being 7,004 cases (58.6%) recorded by the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (Symphony) throughout 2021.

The current Marriage law, which allows dispensation for those under 19, contributes to the increased rate. The number of dispensations submitted increased by 67% from 23,700 to 34,000 applications in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Most of the applications (97%) were granted, of which 60% were under 18 because the applicants were already pregnant. Girls are more likely to marry early than as recorded by the Statistic Bureau:

In terms of disabilities, out of 84.4 million Indonesian children,0.75% (65,000) are disabled (BPS, 2020). As of March 2021, 110 children with disabilities reported violence of the total 1,355 cases of violence against children (Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children, 2021). It means that 8.1% of children with disabilities report violence, which is ten times higher than other children.

Violence against children has detrimental effects on children’s growth and development physically, mentally, and sexually. It causes psychological or mental health disorders, which also may lead to degraded intelligence. Studies (KPAI, 2012) also highlight that children who have experienced violence tend to be the perpetrators in the future. To another extent, it may lead to health problems due to early pregnancy (possibility of maternal death, miscarriage, cervical cancer, etc.). In addition, it is more likely for the children who have experienced violence to be the victim of commercial sexual exploitation. The list may be exhaustive as the effects are multifaceted.

Ministry of Women, Empowerment and Child Protection and UNICEF reviewed existing violence data to identify some underlying causes or drivers. It is found that the following are some factors: the habit of seeing that physical discipline is acceptable, cultural attitudes justifying violence and abusive practices, violence begets violence, poor children are more vulnerable, and lack of family support.

 

RELEVANT POLICY AND PROGRAM

Regarding National Development, eliminating violence against children has become a priority. This was attached to the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024. Recently, the Indonesian government legalized Law no. 12/2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence and Regulation of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 101/2022 About the National Strategy for the Elimination of Violence Against Children to achieve the goal of RPJMN. Until now, the government has published more or less 16 Acts for child protection. With the government's attention to child protection, developing a strategic description approach of WV Indonesia will prioritize synergy with existing laws and programs.

Despite government efforts to protect children through the formulation of laws and policies and engaging cross-sectoral ministries/institutions, there is a gap for improvement in the content of the laws/policies and institutional coordination. The presence of the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) has given. In terms of disabilities, out of 84.4 million Indonesian children,0.75% (65,000) are disabled (BPS, 2020). As of March 2021, 110 children with disabilities reported violence of the total 1,355 cases of violence against children (Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children, 2021). It means that 8.1% of children with disabilities report violence, which is ten times higher than other children. Violence against children has detrimental effects on children’s growth and development physically, mentally, and sexually. It causes psychological or mental health disorders, which also may lead to degraded intelligence. Studies (KPAI, 2012) also highlight that children who have experienced violence tend to be the perpetrators in the future. To another extent, it may lead to health problems due to early pregnancy (possibility of maternal death, miscarriage, cervical cancer, etc.). In addition, it is more likely for the children who have experienced violence to be the victim of commercial sexual exploitation.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

WVI uses the Child Protection and Advocacy (CPA) model as an umbrella for implementing child protection system programs under normal circumstances and in emergencies. This project model is a set of specific interventions that focus on strengthening the child protection system at the government and community level, thus empowering government and local communities to strengthen the protection of children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other forms of violence. Working hand in hand with our key actors and partners, WVI has defined a sustainable goal to protect children from violence (physical and sexual) through

1. The community, including parents/caregivers, faith leaders, custom leaders, and children, demonstrates behavior that provides a caring and protective environment for all girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable.
2. Child protection and social protection services are functional and effectively collaborate, including in emergencies, so the community and the children can access child protection and social services.
3. Pro-child policies are applied at the national and local levels.

 

For the ongoing CPA project model, various approaches to parents, community, faith leaders, custom leaders, and children themselves are conducted through:

Empowering Children to Take Action on Child Protection and Participation

Empowering girls and boys to participate as pioneers and reporters through the Child Forum. Child Forum is an organization/social institution as a media for child participation for children 12-18 years old. The members are the representatives of the children's group or child-led organization to give space for children's aspirations, opinions, and needs to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Together with KPPPA and Bappenas, WVI conducted Advocacy Research on Child Participation in the Development Planning Process. Some of the results of this research recommendation were adopted in the Regulation of the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2022 concerning Amendments to the Regulation of the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Number 18 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Children’s Forums.

Celebrating Families and Positive Parenting

This model is based on valuable concepts: creating space for love and grace, finding seeds of goodness, opportunities for forgiveness, and reasons for thanksgiving. It guides families toward the fullness of life by focusing on four parts of the journey: addressing the past, recognizing the present, envisioning the future, and pursuing their dreams. Positive parenting provides parents /caregivers, including teachers, skills to nurture/discipline the children without violence. In the context of COVID-19, in collaboration with KPPPA, we developed and trained the Parenting with Love and Child Lifeskills module for Pusat Pembelajaran Keluarga (Family Learning Centre).

Channel of Hope (CoH) for Child Protection and Gender

The CoH project model equips faith leaders with factually correct information and insight and guides them to be powerful change agents. As role models, they can inspire entire communities and play a significant role in a multidisciplinary team to support the most vulnerable community members and help achieve development goals.

Reporting and Referral MechanismLocal actors, both formal and informal, and key stakeholders come together to look at the strengths and the problems with the current ways of reporting and referral (R&R) of cases in the community that hinder the response to instances of abuse. A process that supports the stakeholders in developing steps for strengthening or establishing a CP R&R that fits best to the most vulnerable from the duty-bearers community stakeholders, including the most vulnerable children. The Community Based Integrated Child Protection (PATBM) Guide in the Context of COVID-19 was developed based on research and published with KPPPA. Research on implementing Integrated Child Protection and Social Protection Services was carried out with KPPPA as a basis for intervention.

Citizen Voice and Action

Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) is a social accountability and a local advocacy methodology that facilitates dialogue between communities and government to improve child protection services that impact the daily lives of children and their families, especially the most vulnerable.

Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA)

Indonesia is also prone to natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and floods. WVI ensures the reduction of the risk & threat of CP and strengthens the CP factors during these situations through the implementation of CPHA. Child-Friendly Space (CFS) is used by humanitarian agencies to support and protect children in emergencies. CFS provides young people a safe place to play, participate in activities, learn about their rights to health and protection, and experience healing from the trauma they’ve experienced.