Constructing a Sense of Safety Through Trauma-Informed Care: A Qualitative Case Study of Supporting Child Survivors of Sexual Violence in Primary School Settings in Indonesia

Abstract

Sexual violence against children constitutes a critical psychosocial issue that threatens children’s emotional development, sense of trust, and long-term well-being. In Indonesia, particularly in urban areas such as Bekasi City, rising cases of child sexual violence highlight the urgent need for trauma-responsive support systems within schools and child protection institutions. This study aims to explore how child companions specifically elementary school teachers and members of the Regional Child Protection Commission (KPAD) understand and implement Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles in fostering a sense of safety among child survivors of sexual violence. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with purposively selected participants who had direct experience assisting child victims. Thematic analysis was used to examine participants’ meaning-making processes and support practices. The findings reveal three interrelated themes: (1) sense of safety as the foundational principle of child support, (2) sense of safety as the core mechanism of recovery, and (3) emotional burdens and socio-cultural challenges faced by companions in sustaining safety. The study demonstrates that recovery is conceptualized not as disclosure-driven intervention but as a gradual, relational process centered on preventing retraumatization, restoring emotional stability, and protecting children from stigma and social pressure. These findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed, context-sensitive, and systemically coordinated approaches to child protection. The study contributes to the limited body of Indonesian research on Trauma-Informed Care by highlighting the central role of companions’ experiences and the necessity of integrating sense of safety into school-based child protection practices.