Understanding the Plight of Street Children in Indonesia

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 1 views

Advocacy for SKA-PKPA (Children's Creativity Studio-Center for Study and Protection of Children) in Handling Violence in Street Children

Understanding the Plight of Street Children in Indonesia

The lives of street children in Indonesia are often filled with various challenges and threats, especially in terms of violence. Children who spend time on the streets, as seen at the Pinang Baris Medan terminal, often become victims of various forms of torture, both physical and mental. They do not always choose to be on the streets due to economic factors, but it could also be due to association, escape from problems at home, or personal decisions. This condition makes them very vulnerable to violence, which is part of their daily lives. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), there are approximately 170 million street children worldwide, with Indonesia being one of the countries with a significant number of street children.

Causes of Children to Become Street Children

Factors that encourage a child to live on the streets are very complex and often interrelated. Many of them come from unable families, but there are also those who leave home for reasons such as neglect, domestic violence, or incompatibility with the family environment. Ignorance of their rights often makes these children receive bad treatment as normal. For example, they consider being beaten or kicked as a natural thing, even potentially imitating the behavior in others. Research has shown that children who experience violence at home are more likely to become victims of violence on the streets.

The Need for Protection and Advocacy

Street children really need protection because they are in a very vulnerable situation. Violence they often experience can have a long-term impact on their mental and physical health. In this context, advocacy is one of the important steps to increase awareness of children's rights. Child Creativity Studio - The Center for Study and Protection of Children (SKA-PKPA) plays an important role in providing protection and understanding of the rights of children for street children in the Pinang Baris Terminal area. Advocacy is crucial in raising awareness about the rights of street children and promoting their protection.

SKA-PKPA Approach

Research conducted in SKA-PKPA shows that many street children do not fully understand their rights. Only a small portion of realizing that sexual violence is something that needs to be protected, while other forms of violence are considered ordinary. Through various advocacy activities, SKA-PKPA tries to provide an understanding of the rights of children, as well as educating them about how to protect themselves from acts of violence. SKA-PKPA's approach is focused on providing a safe and supportive environment for street children to learn and grow.

SKA-PKPA not only focuses on the litigation approach, but also non-litigation. With this method, they can advocate street children in a more humanist way and in accordance with the needs of these children. Through educational and counseling programs, they are expected to build awareness that every child has the right to live without violence, and contribute to greater change in the protection of children in Indonesia. Non-litigation approaches are essential in promoting the rights of street children and providing them with the support they need.

Conclusion

Advocacy conducted by SKA-PKPA at Pinang Baris Terminal is an important step in overcoming violence against street children. With a humanist and educative approach, it is hoped that these children can get a better understanding of their rights and no longer consider violence as a natural thing. Protection of street children should be a shared responsibility between the government, the community, and non-governmental organizations so that they can grow and develop safely and prosperous. The protection of street children is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of all stakeholders.

Recommendations

Based on the research conducted, the following recommendations are made:

The government should increase its efforts to provide protection and support to street children, including providing them with access to education and healthcare.
Non-governmental organizations, such as SKA-PKPA, should continue to provide advocacy and support to street children, including providing them with educational and counseling programs.
The community should also play a role in protecting street children, including providing them with support and resources.
The protection of street children should be a shared responsibility between the government, the community, and non-governmental organizations.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

The impact of violence on the mental and physical health of street children.
The effectiveness of advocacy and support programs in promoting the rights of street children.
The role of the community in protecting street children.
The impact of policy changes on the protection of street children.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a specific location, and the findings may not be generalizable to other locations.
The study relied on self-reported data from street children, which may be subject to bias.
The study did not control for other factors that may influence the protection of street children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the advocacy conducted by SKA-PKPA at Pinang Baris Terminal is an important step in overcoming violence against street children. With a humanist and educative approach, it is hoped that these children can get a better understanding of their rights and no longer consider violence as a natural thing. Protection of street children should be a shared responsibility between the government, the community, and non-governmental organizations so that they can grow and develop safely and prosperous.
Q&A: Advocacy for SKA-PKPA (Children's Creativity Studio-Center for Study and Protection of Children) in Handling Violence in Street Children

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main goal of SKA-PKPA's advocacy program for street children?

A: The main goal of SKA-PKPA's advocacy program is to increase awareness of children's rights and promote the protection of street children from violence.

Q: What are some of the challenges faced by street children in Indonesia?

A: Street children in Indonesia often face various challenges, including violence, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Q: How does SKA-PKPA's approach differ from other organizations working with street children?

A: SKA-PKPA's approach is focused on providing a safe and supportive environment for street children to learn and grow, through educational and counseling programs.

Q: What is the role of the community in protecting street children?

A: The community plays a crucial role in protecting street children, including providing them with support and resources.

Q: How can individuals get involved in advocating for the rights of street children?

A: Individuals can get involved in advocating for the rights of street children by supporting organizations like SKA-PKPA, volunteering their time, and spreading awareness about the issue.

Q: What are some of the long-term effects of violence on street children?

A: The long-term effects of violence on street children can include mental health problems, physical health problems, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

Q: How can policy changes impact the protection of street children?

A: Policy changes can have a significant impact on the protection of street children, including increasing funding for programs that support them and providing them with access to education and healthcare.

Q: What are some of the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the reliance on self-reported data from street children and the lack of control for other factors that may influence the protection of street children.

Q: What are some of the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on the impact of violence on the mental and physical health of street children, the effectiveness of advocacy and support programs, and the role of the community in protecting street children.

Additional Resources

For more information on SKA-PKPA and their advocacy program, please visit their website at www.ska-pkpa.org.

Get Involved

If you are interested in getting involved in advocating for the rights of street children, please contact SKA-PKPA at info@ska-pkpa.org.

Support SKA-PKPA

You can support SKA-PKPA by making a donation to their organization. Please visit their website at www.ska-pkpa.org for more information.

Stay Up-to-Date

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates from SKA-PKPA by following them on social media at www.facebook.com/ska.pkpa and www.twitter.com/ska_pkpa.