DARI MANIPULASI KE TRAUMA

Child Grooming dan Krisis Kesehatan Mental Anak dalam Perspektif Relasi Kuasa James Poling

Abstract

The increasing cases of sexual violence against children in Indonesia, especially the practice of child grooming, shows the narrowing of safe spaces for children in family, social and institutional relationships. Child grooming works through relational manipulation and abuse of power that is gradual, systematic and hidden, so that it is often not recognized as a form of violence by both the victim and the surrounding environment. This study aims to reconstruct the phenomenon of child grooming as a form of structural violence based on asymmetric power relations by using the theoretical framework of the abuse of power from James Poling. The method used is qualitative research with a theological-pastoral approach through interdisciplinary literature study, theoretical analysis and critical reflection on pastoral and institutional practices. The results of the study show that child grooming cannot be understood solely as an aberration of individual behavior, but rather as a systematic expression of power relations legitimized by patriarchal cultures, hierarchical structures and mechanisms of institutional silencing. This violence has an impact on the psychological, relational and spiritual trauma of children which has direct implications for mental health crises and damage to human dignity. This study confirms that the handling of child grooming requires a transformative pastoral approach based on trauma-informed, oriented towards the restoration of children's dignity, as well as the reconstruction of fair and liberating power relations. Thus, the protection of children becomes a collective ethical-theological responsibility that requires courage in dismantling oppressive power structures.