"Galih Pakuan" Resident Center Reaches the Tasikmalaya Punk Community

TASIKMALAYA (April 7, 2021) – The Ministry of Social Affairs through the "Galih Pakuan" Resident Center Bogor conducted an Emergency Response Activity for the Punk Child Phenomenon in the Tasikmalaya City and Regency Region. This activity is to respond to reports from the public regarding the existence of a punk community that is developing in the Tasikmalaya area, it is not uncommon for their behavior to cause anxiety in the community.

The Galih Pakuan Resident Center deployed an Outreach Team (TRC) consisting of 6 people, arriving in Tasikmalaya early Sunday morning (4/4). Furthermore, the TRC Balai coordinated with social workers from the Directorate of Child Social Rehabilitation and the Jakarta "Handayani" Children's Center who had already been at the location to respond to the case. The team also communicated with representatives of the Public Relations and Rescue Team in the field of Social Humanity at the Indonesian Association of Street Children (GAZA) Central Leadership Council (DPP), Tana Wardiana, who has a shelter for punk children. At least 73 punk kids are under his care.

The TRC of the "Galih Pakuan" Resident Center managed to meet 13 punk kids and make initial contact with them. The TRC team facilitated them to express their feelings, experiences, and conditions they are currently experiencing. From the results of this communication, it is known that some of them have experienced drug abuse.

Furthermore, the Team provided education about the impact of drug abuse and provided motivation so that they wanted to change and no longer use drugs. These punk kids hope there is a place/shelter to strengthen each other's commitment so that they can change for the better. They also need vocational training and knowledge about entrepreneurship and hope to be free from the stigma of society.

Of the 13 punk kids, the Team managed to identify 3 people who were serious about participating in the "Galih Pakuan" Residential Center program, especially to take part in vocational training and entrepreneurship development activities.

The team immediately coordinated with the relevant Social Service to issue recommendation letters for the 3 children to take part in vocational training and entrepreneurship development activities at the "Galih Pakuan" Resident Center. After undergoing urine and antigen swab tests, 3 children namely If, Ra, and Re were then taken to the "Galih Pakuan" Sheltered Workshop located in Cimahi City for further intervention.