Penguatan Jaringan Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak Berbasis Komunitas di Kelurahan Kembangsari Kota Semarang

Abstract

Protection of women and children remains a strategic issue in legal and social development in Indonesia, as these groups continue to face vulnerability to various forms of violence, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, and neglect. Although a comprehensive legal framework has been established through several regulations, such as Law Number 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence and Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, the reporting rate of violence cases in society remains relatively low due to limited legal literacy and persistent social stigma. This community service program aims to enhance community legal awareness and strengthen community-based protection networks for women and children in Kembangsari Village, Semarang City. The activity employed a participatory legal counseling method through interactive lectures, case discussions, and simulations of violence-reporting mechanisms, involving 32 participants, including PKK members and neighborhood leaders (RT). Program evaluation was conducted using pre-test and post-test instruments to measure participants’ level of understanding. The results indicate a significant increase in community legal awareness, with the average score improving from 54% in the pre-test to 86% in the post-test. In addition to improving legal literacy, the program encouraged the formation of community communication networks that serve as early detection and coordination mechanisms for handling violence cases at the local level. This initiative contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).