Law Enforcement Officers' Resilience in Social Interactions During Violence Against Women and Children Case Handling: A PPA Unit Study

Abstract

Violence against women and children is a complex social problem and puts law enforcement subjects of the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) in a work situation full of emotional stress. This study aims to understand the dynamics of the resilience of law enforcement subjects in social interaction in handling cases of violence against women and children. This study uses a qualitative approach with phenomenological design. Participants consisted of three investigators from the PPA Unit of Police X who were selected through purposive sampling techniques based on experience in handling cases for at least two years. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and observations, then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study showed that subjects faced high emotional pressure, especially when dealing with child victims, dealing with uncooperative perpetrators, and dealing with limited resources and high case load. To maintain psychological function, subjects develop various resilience strategies, such as emotional regulation, problem-focused coping, professional capacity building, social support from colleagues and family, and positive meanings of work as a form of protection and humanitarian service. Empathy and a humanist approach are important aspects in building a safe and supportive relationship with victims, but still balanced with professionalism and legal objectivity. These findings suggest that the resilience of PPA subjects is formed through the interaction between individual factors, social support, and a supportive work environment. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen psychological and institutional support to maintain mental health and the quality of services for PPA subjects.

Kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan anak merupakan permasalahan sosial yang kompleks dan menempatkan subjek penegak hukum Unit Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak (PPA) pada situasi kerja yang penuh tekanan emosional. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memahami dinamika resiliensi subjek penegak hukum dalam interaksi sosial penanganan kasus kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan anak. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain fenomenologi. Partisipan terdiri atas tiga penyidik Unit PPA Polres X yang dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling berdasarkan pengalaman menangani kasus minimal dua tahun. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur mendalam dan observasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa subjek menghadapi tekanan emosional yang tinggi, terutama saat menangani korban anak, menghadapi pelaku yang tidak kooperatif, serta berhadapan dengan keterbatasan sumber daya dan tingginya beban perkara. Untuk mempertahankan fungsi psikologis, subjek mengembangkan berbagai strategi resiliensi, seperti regulasi emosi, problem-focused coping, peningkatan kapasitas profesional, dukungan sosial dari rekan kerja dan keluarga, serta pemaknaan positif terhadap pekerjaan sebagai bentuk perlindungan dan pengabdian kemanusiaan. Empati dan pendekatan humanis menjadi aspek penting dalam membangun hubungan yang aman dan suportif dengan korban, namun tetap diimbangi dengan profesionalitas dan objektivitas hukum. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa resiliensi subjek PPA terbentuk melalui interaksi antara faktor individual, dukungan sosial, dan lingkungan kerja yang mendukung. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan penguatan dukungan psikologis dan institusional guna menjaga kesehatan mental serta kualitas pelayanan subjek PPA.