Peer-reviewed article
SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY ON CHILDREN TREATED DP3AP2KB BENGKULU CITY
Aulia Dira Rizani, Heni Nopianti, Ika Pasca Himawati ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative case study examined 97 cases of sexual violence against children treated at a child protection service in Bengkulu City, Indonesia between 2021 and 2024, with molestation and sexual intercourse being the most common forms. The research identified multiple risk factors including poverty, family dysfunction, low parental education, parental employment circumstances, and media and peer influences that increase children's vulnerability to violence. The study found that sexual violence reflects weakened family protective functions and insufficient community social control, particularly in domestic environments. The authors emphasize the need for better parental education, stronger child protection systems, and improved coordination between government, communities, and families.
Key points
- 97 cases of violence against children were recorded during 2021–2024, with molestation and sexual intercourse as the most prevalent forms
- Multiple interrelated risk factors drive sexual violence: low economic conditions, dysfunctional family roles, low parental education and awareness, parental employment nature, and exposure to media and peer influences
- Sexual violence reflects weakened family functions and insufficient social control in wider communities
- The domestic environment, which should protect children, often becomes a place of vulnerability
- Solutions require comprehensive efforts including improved parenting literacy, strengthened child protection systems, and better synergy between institutions, communities, and families
Limitations
This qualitative case study used only five child victims as main informants from one city, so findings cannot be generalised beyond this specific context. The study identifies risk factors and describes service responses but does not evaluate the effectiveness of any child protection interventions.
Abstract
Violence against children is a complex social problem that has long-term consequences for their physical, psychological, and social development. In Bengkulu City, data from the UPTD PPA DP3AP2KB recorded 97 cases of violence against children during the 2021–2024 period, with molestation and sexual intercourse being the most prevalent forms. This study aims to identify the factors that cause sexual violence against children and to understand the social dynamics underlying these cases. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, using in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation. Research informants consisted of child victims, their families, and staff of the UPTD PPA DP3AP2KB Bengkulu City, with a total of five child victims as the main informants. The findings show that sexual violence against children is driven by multiple interrelated factors, including low economic conditions, dysfunctional family roles, low parental education and awareness, the nature of parental employment, as well as exposure to media and peer influences. These factors interact to create conditions that increase children’s vulnerability to violence, particularly within the domestic environment that should function as a place of protection. From a family sociology and structural functionalism perspective, sexual violence against children reflects weakened family functions and insufficient social control in the wider community. The study highlights the need for comprehensive efforts through improved parenting literacy, strengthened child protection systems, and stronger synergy between government institutions, communities, and families to more effectively prevent and address sexual violence against children. It also bridges theory and practice by linking family level vulnerabilities with institutional responses of DP3AP2KB, offering a reference for future research and child protection policy development.