Creating a child-friendly district: strengthening psychological first aid skills for women’s empowerment and child protection (PPPA) cadre in Pemalang regency

Violence against women and children remains a persistent challenge in Pemalang Regency, with 62 cases reported in 2024. Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) cadres, mandated by local regulations, hold a strategic role in prevention and victim assistance; however, limited capacity constrains the effective implementation of protection policies. This community engagement program introduces an innovative Psychological First Aid (PFA) psychoeducation model that integrates psychological support with legal literacy for non-professional cadres. Delivered through interactive training, field practice, and a structured PFA module, the program enhanced cadres’ competencies in: (1) applying victim-centered communication, (2) connecting survivors to legal and health services, and (3) operationalizing the Child-Friendly District (KLA) policy at the grassroots level. Evaluation results demonstrated significant improvements in cadres’ knowledge and responsiveness. The novelty of this program lies in bridging PFA with the legal framework of women and child protection, thereby providing a replicable model for strengthening the law-in-action dimension of child-friendly policies in Indonesia.