Social Affairs Minister Risma: Psychosocial Support Improves the Well-being of Vulnerable Children

PANDEGLANG (20 June 2023) - The case of human trafficking (TPPO) and severe illness experienced by underage children must be bad news for everyone. Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini puts great attention to the children who suffer from this.

“These kids have a future. We want them to return to everyday life like children of their age in general," said the Minister in her visit to Pandeglang district, Tuesday afternoon (20/6/2023).

During this visit, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) through the Center Galih Pakuan Bogor carried out psychosocial support against KS (13) and NA (14), victims of TPPO and Muhammad Arifin (13), a child with thalassemia. Psychosocial support is expected to strengthen the mentality of children who are part of the vulnerable group.

"NA and KS will be taken to the Galih Pakuan Center for rehabilitation and given useful activities, while Arifin must continue to have blood transfusions. We will help with the accessibility of his transportation so he can seek treatment at the hospital," said the Minister.

Not only encouraging NA, KS, and Arifin, the Minister also handed over assistance for basic needs, nutrition, groceries and personal hygiene worth IDR 5.000.000,-

The parents of NA and KS hope that their children soon recover from the trauma and return to a normal life.

“I am grateful to the Minister who gave moral support to my daughter. Hopefully, she can manage to be happy again,” KS’s mother said.

Arifin’s father, Arman Maulana (43), was shocked at the arrival of the Minister at the hospital.

“The Minister visited my son by herself. She advised me to be strong because God had entrusted Arifin to me. Hopefully, Arifin can heal quickly," Arman said.

Law Enforcement Officers’ Quick Response

On the same occasion, Mensos Risma gave awards to 3 ranks of the Pandeglang Police and 3 ranks of the District Prosecutor's Office of Pandeglang for the legal actions that have been carried out in the TPPO case in Pandeglang.

“We appreciate the Pandeglang District Police and District Prosecutor's Office who have responded well to this TPPO case. This concerns children, the impact is quite large because not only children but there must be other cases," Risma said.

The award was given to AKBP Belny Warlansyah as the Pandeglang Police Chief, AKP Shilton as Head of the Criminal Detective Unit of Pandeglang Police Station, Ipsa Akbar as Head of Sub-directorate for Teens, Children and Women Affairs in the Criminal Detective Unit of Pandeglang Police Station, Helena Octavianne as Head of Pandeglang District Prosecutor's Office, Mario Nicolas as Head of the General Crimes Section and Vera Farianti Havilah as Head of Prosecution, Execution and Examination.

The regent of Pandeglang Irna Narulita claims to have been moved by Risma’s dedication in dealing with the TPPO case of minors that occurred in her region.

“Thank you Minister for coming and paying attention to our citizens. This will be our attention to be followed and monitored on an ongoing basis,” Irna said.