226 children in Banten suffer psychological distress due to parental conflict

Serang — The Banten Provincial Agency for Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning (DP3AKB) has recorded 226 children as victims of psychological abuse throughout 2025, with the majority triggered by internal domestic conflict.

Head of DP3AKB Banten, Iwan Aridiansyah Sentono, explained in Serang on Tuesday that psychological distress in children is often rooted in family environments that lack harmony, particularly when children witness their parents arguing directly.

According to data from the Online Women and Child Protection Information System (Simfoni-PPA), South Tangerang City ranks highest with 112 cases, followed by Cilegon City with 54 cases.

“Sometimes children witness constant parental conflict and may even see their mother being struck by their father directly. Such conditions automatically damage the child’s psychological state,” Iwan said.

Beyond physical conflict, verbal abuse in the form of degrading insults is also a primary cause. This results in children experiencing loss of confidence, profoundly affecting their self-esteem.

Iwan added that the impact of such psychological trauma is usually not immediately apparent. Parents generally only become aware of a problem after the child displays drastic behavioural changes, such as becoming withdrawn or isolating themselves from social environments.

In response, DP3AKB Banten continues to provide intensive support services for victims. Facilities include professional psychological counselling and safe houses for those experiencing severe trauma.

“We provide support tailored to each individual’s needs. Our primary focus is restoring the child’s mental health so they can regain confidence and develop normally,” he said.