One of the keys to success in preventing children from returning to committing unlawful behavior is by providing them with skills. The youth can be empowered and leave their dependence on the criminal world.
By
Kompas Team
·5 minutes read
ARSIP KOMPAS
A number of children facing legal problems were praying together at the Bina Sejahtera Indonesia Foundation (Bahtera) Bandung, West Java on Wednesday (18/1/2023).
The green building in the Batununggal area, Bandung, West Java, at first glance looks like an ordinary house. There were no iron bars on the windows or security posts in front of the house. On a Wednesday afternoon (18/1/2023), the doors and fences of the house were also left open.
It is in this house, managed by the Bina Sejahtera Indonesia Foundation (Bahtera) in Bandung, that young people who breached the law undergo social rehabilitation. They take part in various mentoring programs before returning to their families.
The young people undergoing rehabilitation at the Bahtera Foundation come from a variety of backgrounds, from (those involved in) human trafficking, murder, sexual immorality, to robbery. Some of them are still undergoing legal proceedings, while others are serving sentences.
Surprisingly, no one has ever tried to escape from the Bahtera Foundation even though there are no heavy security measures there. This is because they consider the place like home. They feel the warmth of their new “family” there.
In the eyes of one of the teenagers, KI (17), for example, escaping would be an irresponsible choice. His view is very common considering that during the six months he was there, his companions continued to instill a sense of responsibility in him. This also makes him not want to repeat his bad behavior in the past.
“Here, all are considered brothers. We eat together, sleep together. Truly like family. If you're sad, just talk to anyone," he said.
According to the Bahtera Foundation Child Protection specialist, Faisal Cakra Buana, the assistants deliberately create a home atmosphere for those young people. They try to create an environment as comfortable as possible so that they do not feel bored and have no intentions of running away.
Here, all are considered brothers. We eat together, sleep together.
In addition to providing counselling, companions also always try to respect the self-esteem and dignity of the youth. Every day they are given smiles, greetings, jokes and friendly glances. This way, they believe the embryo of behavior change will take shape.
Faisal assessed that the wrongdoings committed by these youth could not be separated from the wrong parenting style of the parents. The youth becomes uncomfortable at home and ends up causing trouble.
From here the Bahtera Foundation tries to implement a home-based re-care so that the youth's behavior changes.
“Every child who commits a crime is a traumatized child. The rehabilitation process is suppressing the trauma so that the bad behavior is buried,” he said.
ARSIP KOMPAS
Children who are facing legal problems undergo rehabilitation at the Bahtera Foundation safe house, Bandung City, West Java, Wednesday (18/1/2023). In addition to receiving counseling, they also received skill training to become motorbike mechanics.
This behavior change should ideally also be carried out by the nuclear family of children who are in conflict with the law. Without that, the child's bad behavior can reappear at any time. Therefore, parents should also be given assistance. “Children will not change their behavior as long as their parents do not change their behavior. If parents don't change their behavior, the mentoring actually fails. Even though it was carried out with a multitude of programs for months," said Faisal.
Within a certain period of time, the mentor will also carry out social reintegration between the child and their parents. This process provides an opportunity for the youth to return home for a few days. The goal is to retrain the parent-child relationship.
Skill supply
Another key to success in preventing children from returning to committing unlawful behavior is by providing them with skills. This way, the youth can be empowered and leave their dependency on the criminal world.
This effort is provided by the Sentra Handayani Children's Rehabilitation Center from the Social Affairs Ministry to children who are involved in legal cases. Skills training is a complement to health, social and psychological assistance programs.
On Thursday afternoon (12/1), for example, RV (17), one of the teenagers undergoing rehabilitation at the Sentra Handayani, was attending a salon class. Compared to the other three children in the same class, she looked the most excited. On the fourth day of training, she learned how to do a cream bath.
“Before coming here, I really wanted to work at a salon. But, if I had to pay for it myself, it’s expensive. Hopefully, after coming from here, I can actually work at a salon," she said.
RV underwent rehabilitation at the Sentra Handayani because she was previously involved in an online prostitution case. She admitted to becoming a prostitute through the Michat app with a minimum rate of Rp 300,000 per date.
Without this training in salon skills, RV is very likely to be tempted to enter the world of prostitution again.
According to Mini Wahyuni (53), a salon class mentor at Sentra Handayani, it takes patience and a special approach in training children who violated the law. This is because not all children have the enthusiasm to hone their salon skills.
"For girls, I usually give the motivation that women must be independent," said the woman who has been a mentor for 16 years.
Nevertheless, many of Yuni's students have had successful careers. These children are usually given five months of training and one month of field work practice (PKL) before looking for a job.
“Three of the youth have successfully opened their own barbershop. Many of my students are successful," she said. (ILO/DIV/FRD/JOG)
