Exploring the Dynamics of Communication in the Handling of Child Victims of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Study in the Women's and Children's Protection Technical Implementation Unit, Pekanbaru City Government in Indonesia

This study aims to examine the dynamics of communication in handling intrafamilial child sexual abuse, with a case study of RR, a child victim of sexual abuse by her stepfather and cousin, reported to the Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak/UPT PPA) of the Pekanbaru City Government. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews, observations, and document studies. Using the constructivist paradigm and the social construction theory by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, the collected data were analyzed qualitatively to explore how communication patterns and interactions among the involved parties, including the UPT PPA team, the victim, the victim's family, the Social Services, the Police, Legal Aid, orphanages, and other informal parties, build the social reality of child protection for the victim RR. Data sources were selected using purposive sampling based on criteria until saturation was reached. The findings indicate that despite communication barriers and non-cooperation from the family, effective communication and good coordination among all involved parties are crucial to ensuring the recovery and ongoing legal process for the child victim of sexual abuse. An empathetic, sensitive, and collaborative approach can help the victim feel supported and gradually recover from the traumatic experience. Collaboration between institutions plays an essential role in providing protection and social rehabilitation for RR. The dynamics of communication in handling intrafamilial child sexual abuse involve the dialectical processes of externalization, objectification, and internalization among the various parties involved. Received: 30 July 2024 / Accepted: 28 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024