What Forms of Psychological Violence Do Children in Riau Experience?

A survey by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reveals that the most prevalent form of psychological violence against children and adolescents under 18 in Riau province is frequent comparison with other children. This accounted for 22.86% of cases in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

This percentage is lower than the pre-pandemic period, where 27.62% of children and adolescents in Riau experienced this form of psychological violence.

Frequent criticism, belittling, and undermining of self-esteem constituted 18.10% of psychological violence cases in the post-pandemic period, a decrease from 24.76% before the pandemic.

Yelling at children and adolescents was reported in 10.48% of cases post-pandemic, down from 17.14% pre-pandemic. Public humiliation accounted for 6.67% of cases post-pandemic, a decrease from 7.62% pre-pandemic.

Other forms of psychological violence experienced by children and adolescents in Riau in the post-pandemic period include: frequent neglect or abandonment (6.67%), forced involvement in criminal activities (4.76%), and other forms of mistreatment (5.71%).

The majority (22.86%) of cases of psychological violence against children and adolescents in Riau were perpetrated by their biological parents. The main reason cited by parents was the child's perceived laziness, naughtiness, or disobedience (21.90%).

The BPS conducted an online survey on the experiences of children and adolescents in Riau province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic from June 8-30, 2021. While 313 respondents participated, only 133 were children under 18, and only 105 provided complete data suitable for further analysis.