Minister of Social Affairs Emphasizes the Role of Local Governments in Preventing Children Exposed to Terrorism and Violent Extremists

JAKARTA (MARCH 15, 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini emphasized the role of local governments in efforts to prevent children from being exposed to terrorism. According to the Minister, prevention efforts are far more important than handling.

"Because in prevention, we can handle the child so that they are not attracted to acts of terrorism," said Minister of Social Affairs Risma at the "Training of Trainers (ToT) Series on the Psychosocial Assessment Process for Children Associated with Terrorist Groups and Violent Extremists in Indonesia" in Jakarta, March 14, 2023.

The importance of the role of the local government, the Minister of Social Affairs described in her experience when she served as regional head of the Mayor of Surabaya from 2010-2020.

"At that time, I explored and built a team to deal with both victims and perpetrators," she said.

But not only local governments, she continued, families and the community environment are also expected to participate in monitoring and preventing acts of terrorism and violent extremism in children.

The Minister also suggested involving related ministries such as the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to see the phenomenon of children's exposure to terrorism and violent extremists can occur in the school environment. According to her, both teachers and parents at home have a strong influence on children's thoughts and actions.

"Because in schools at the junior high school level at that time (in Surabaya) were entered by alumni then they intervened (terrorism and violent extremism) to influence students," said the Minister.

Based on Risma's experience as Mayor of Surabaya, she also closed all school activities on Saturdays and Sundays and involved the District and Sub-district enter to assist schools on Fridays.

The ToT activity was held on March 15-17, 2023 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The activity aims to provide comprehensive guidance for psychologists and social workers in conducting psychosocial assessments of children associated with terrorist and violent extremist groups.

Since 2018, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been working with the Government of Indonesia to address the issue of children associated with terrorist and violent extremist groups. This effort is in line with the priorities under Pillar 1 of the National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism 2020-2024 (NAP PE).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs provides residential-based social rehabilitation services for families and children exposed to low to moderate levels of radicalism. Services include fulfillment of basic needs, comprehensive health checks, psychosocial and mental-spiritual therapy, family support, entrepreneurship/vocational training, and accessibility support for education.

Public Relation Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs