The Role of Bripka Rissa, the 'Police Mother' Accompanying Child Victims of Violence in Samarinda

Bripka Rissa Melawati has played a role for seven years in accompanying women and child victims of violence in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. She is known as the ‘police mother’ due to her humane approach towards victims.

Due to her dedication, Bripka Rissa was nominated by resident Lindi Ardina for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards programme. Lindi got to know Bripka Rissa while conducting thesis research in Samarinda.

“I am nominating this individual because she is known as a member with integrity, professionalism, and humanity in carrying out her duties. In handling every case, she prioritises justice, transparency, and responsive service to the community. Her dedication and commitment to maintaining public trust deserve appreciation and serve as an example to other members,” Lindi wrote in the 2026 Hoegeng Awards nomination form on detikcom.

When contacted, Lindi explained that Bripka Rissa is a good person. She also observed that Bripka Rissa is able to act fairly and without discrimination when handling cases.

In addition, Lindi explained that Bripka Rissa is known as a mother figure because of her direct and touching approach to victims. Lindi said Bripka Rissa always strives to defend victims’ rights.

“Perhaps her motherly nature comes into play because the children, whether abused or otherwise, might lack a parental figure, so Mrs Rissa can fulfil that,” Lindi told detikcom on Thursday (5/3/2026).

Testimony about Bripka Rissa also came from a reporter with initials T. She got to know Bripka Rissa when reporting a harassment case involving her niece.

“She’s quick to act. And she also gives advice and input,” she said.

She stated that Bripka Rissa is a good yet firm police officer. Bripka Rissa is also said to continuously fight for justice in every case she handles.

“She’s a good person, quick, firm,” she remarked.

Bripka Rissa’s Dedication

Bripka Rissa Melawati has consistently handled cases involving women, children, and vulnerable groups in Samarinda for seven years.

Rissa recounted her duties as part of the Banum Unitdik VI Satreskrim Polresta Samarinda, East Kalimantan, in a conversation with detikcom some time ago. She was a candidate in the 2025 Hoegeng Corner programme.

Since 2018, she has handled around 100 cases. Before that, Rissa was also assigned to narcotics investigation, traffic units, and community guidance.

Upon placement in the PPA Unit, Rissa handled one particularly attention-grabbing case: a three-year-old child who was a victim of sexual violence. In handling it, Rissa positioned herself as the child to empathise with the victim’s condition, rather than as an investigator.

“When we conducted the examination, it required extra patience, so I said we have to be like her; we can’t force it. If she wants to sleep, we can’t force her; if she wants to eat, we eat. We have to fulfil whatever her wishes are until then,” Rissa said.

The case has been resolved, but the bond between Rissa and the victim remains to this day. The victim, now in fifth grade of primary school, still remembers every bit of Rissa’s attention. According to Rissa, simple interactions prove beneficial and are long remembered.

“Even now, she often comes to the office to play. She tells her friends, ‘I have a police mother; my mother is a policewoman’,” Rissa said.

The latest case handled by Rissa involves a third-grade primary school child sold by her biological mother and raped by her stepfather. Initially, the police received a report from the victim accompanied by a class guardian and the East Kalimantan Quick Reaction Team for Women’s and Children’s Protection (TRC PPA).

The victim was initially cooperative during police interrogation about the incident. However, trauma resurfaced afterwards. The victim feared her mother would plan her murder if she spoke out. The examination was temporarily halted.

Finally, Rissa took the victim for a motorbike ride around to alleviate the trauma. Rissa asked the victim about her needs and likes.

“After her trauma subsided, we brought her to the office for re-examination; we conducted the visum at 10 pm that same night,” Rissa said.

Following that process, the police moved quickly to arrest the stepfather. The case is currently in the filing stage, while the child is placed in a safe house.

“For approaching victims, we are women; we’ve been children ourselves; I’m a mother with children. I position myself as them, purely, not fabricated,” Rissa added.

Besides those two cases, Rissa has handled many others, including human trafficking (TPPO) crimes. Most cases she handles proceed to trial.

“For domestic violence, it’s a complaint offence; sometimes we’ve detained but the wife requests mediation, so we do RJ, not going to the prosecutor’s office or trial. For child cases, like intercourse or molestation, most go to trial,” she added.

Not only in enforcement, Rissa is also active in prevention. She frequently participates in outreach on anti-bullying, cyber issues, and the dangers of free sex in schools in Samarinda.