MoSA Provides Therapy for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and Prepares an Entrepreneurship Program

YOGYAKARTA (July 13, 2023) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini advised 18 victims of Trafficking in Persons (TPPO) not to be easily persuaded by the lure of high salaries or to work abroad but without official documents.

The victims are economically independent enough. They already have businesses such as workshops, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, barber shops and grocery stalls.

However, the perpetrator's persuasion forced the victim to deposit some money with the perpetrator by owing money to various parties. As a result, apart from being devoured by promises, they have also been in a lot of debt.

"Don't be easily persuaded. They already have a business though. It's just that they seem to lack knowledge in business management including financial management. So, when their business is down, they are not ready and easily give up," said the Minister when meeting with victims at the Yogyakarta Social Welfare Education and Training Center (BBPPKS).

Therefore, on that occasion, the Minister stated that she would help the victims to grow their businesses again. The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) will provide assistance. "So that, later they are ready to face challenges in business and can be economically independent," she said.

Based on an assessment by BBPPKS Yogyakarta, some victims found in Kulon Progo experienced psychological disorders such as severe depression, anxiety and despair because they had previously been in limbo for more than 4 months and moved from place to place brought by the perpetrators. They were promised to work abroad.

Previously, these victims had been placed in Rusunawa Giri Peni Kulon Progo owned by the Public Works Office from 15 June to 3 July 2023. While at BBPPKS Yogyakarta starting from 3 July 2023, they had been given psychological reinforcement, guidance and motivation to be able to return to their families and normally carry out activities.

The activities carried out included sports, counseling, music therapy, medical check-up, and cooking. In addition, vocational training was also provided for them as relaxation, in the form of making gecko drums (a kind of reptile that teenagers like) as well as making woven plastic bags.

They got paid for making gecko drums. Some victims said that vocational training could help them grow their businesses after returning to their families.

Present on the occasion were the Special Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs (SKM) for Communication and Mass Media Don Rozano Sigit Prakoeswa, SKM for Social Welfare Service Recipients Luhur Budijarso Lulu, Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation Salahudin Yahya, Director of Disaster Victims and Emergency (KBK) Rachmad Koesnadi, Head of BBPPKS Yogyakarta Eva Rahmi Kasim, Head of DIY Social Office Endang Patmintarsih, Head of Kulon Progo Police AKBP Nunuk Setiyawati, Head of Social Office of Grobogan Edi Santoso, Head of Social Office of Magetan Parminto Budi Utomo, Representative of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency Ayub, Head of Social Rehabilitation Office of the Purworejo Social Office Eny Widiati, Head of Public Prosecutor's Office Kulon Progo Martin and representative of Social Office Cilacap Sardi.

Public Relations Bureau Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia