Creating an Environment Free from Sexual Violence Against Women and Children Within the Cultural Values of Mitawe in West Sulawesi

This research aims to create an environment free from sexual violence against women and children in West Sulawesi Province through the application of Mitawe cultural values. The Mitawe culture, which emphasizes politeness, respect, and dignity, is seen as an important tool in preventing sexual violence within the Mandar community. The research method used is empirical law, involving observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and community leaders, as well as document analysis from the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB) of West Sulawesi Province. The research findings show that Mitawe values can be effectively integrated into sexual violence prevention programs through various interventions carried out in local communities. The implementation of these values has successfully raised public awareness about the importance of respecting the rights of women and children, as well as reducing the incidence of sexual violence in several districts. Moreover, collaboration with DP3AP2KB has enabled the implementation of more structured and sustainable prevention strategies, including training for victim advocates and public awareness campaigns. This research also found that strengthening local cultural values, such as Mitawe, can be an effective approach in creating a safer society free from sexual violence. These findings provide a foundation for developing more inclusive and culturally sensitive policies in the effort to protect women and children in West Sulawesi.