OPTIMALISASI PROGRAM PERLINDUNGAN KHUSUS ANAK DALAM PENNCEGAHAN KEKERASAN TERHADAP ANAK DI KOTA BATU

This research is motivated by the high number of cases of violence against children in Batu City, which continues to increase annually. Child protection efforts are legally based through Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection and Batu City Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2013 concerning the Implementation of Protection for Women and Children Victims of Violence. These regulations are implemented through a special child protection program that provides services for children in need of protection. However, cases of violence against children continue to increase, thus serving as the basis for this research.
The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation of the special child protection program in preventing violence against children in Batu City and the challenges encountered in its implementation. This study used a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques through documentation, interviews, and observation. Data analysis was conducted through the stages of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of this study on the implementation of the special child protection program in Batu City indicate that several aspects have been optimized, but have not yet fully reached optimal levels. The research findings indicate that resources are not optimal because their adequacy and distribution are not commensurate with the increasing caseload. In addition, the low level of public awareness regarding the importance of preventing violence and the social stigma against victims are serious obstacles that hinder the effectiveness of the program.