PPAPP Agency Gears Up to Provide Psychosocial Child Assistance
Reported by Aldi Geri Lumban Tobing | Translated by
The Jakarta Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control Agency (PPAPP) ensures providing psychosocial assistance to children who were detained by police officers after the demonstration in front of the DPR/MPR Building.
We want children to feel protected and that their rights are upheld
So far, 196 children have received assistance through the Women's and Children's Protection Center (PPPA). The assistance began on Tuesday (8/26), when the children were secured and gathered at the Metro Jaya Police, until just before they were returned to their parents.
The process continues on Thursday, for other children who are being gradually returned. Each coaching session lasts about an hour per group.
City Government is Committed to Guarantee Children's Growth and Protection RightsJakarta PPAPP Agency Head, Iin Mutmainnah said, the assistance provided included psychoeducation about legal risks and group counseling.
Children are divided into eight groups, each accompanied by PPPA service personnel consisting of counselors, paralegals, and victim supporters.
"This is to ensure that every child receives protection and that their rights are met," she expressed, Friday (8/29).
She explained, assistance also includes an initial psychological assessment related to the child's condition. The officers help gather information about the causes of their involvement in the actions and the experiences they went through when they were detained by the police.
Afterward, the officer provided Psychoeducation to the children about the proper way to express their aspirations. This was followed by Psychoeducation related to stress (causes and effects) and information about services accessible to children and parents, namely Jakarta PPPA and the nearest Community Health Center, to support the psychological recovery process of the victims according to their needs.
"This step is important to quickly carry out psychological recovery, thus children do not experience further stress," she expressed.
She explained, twenty professionals were deployed in the assistance, consisting of counselors, paralegals, and victim advocates from the Jakarta PPPA.
During the assistance process, the mentoring officers ensure that each affected child can communicate and report to the officers if they experience any issues, whether in the form of physical violence or psychological violence.
This aims to ensure that children receive protection and their rights are met, considering the PPAPP Office remains committed to providing optimal support services for children.
"We want children to feel protected and that their rights are upheld, both psychologically and legally. We'll continue to commit to providing optimal and fair services for the children of Jakarta," she said.