Malanginspirasi.com – Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan (STIKES) Maharani, a higher education institution specializing in health sciences, recently conducted an informative outreach program at SMPK Mardi Wiyata, a Catholic Junior High School in Malang. Focused on the critical theme of “Dare to Speak, Dare to Act – Stop Violence”, the program aimed to educate seventh-grade students about various forms of violence, particularly sexual harassment, and empower them to take action.
The session, delivered by enthusiastic fourth-semester Nursing students specializing in Mental Health and Psychosocial Care, resonated strongly with the attending students.
The engaging presentation style, tailored to a youthful audience, facilitated a clear understanding of the prevalent issues. This initiative forms an integral part of the students’ curriculum, implemented across their fourth and fifth semesters.
Ns. Ridwan Sofian, M. Kep, the supervising lecturer for the Mental Health and Psychosocial Care department, emphasized the program’s regular implementation.
“Our students deliver these educational sessions during their fourth semester and again six months later in their fifth semester,” he stated.
The content is directly related to their specialization in Mental Health Nursing, encompassing diverse topics beyond sexual harassment.
“Themes can vary, including popular issues like bullying or gaming addiction. Our target audience is primarily junior high school students,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, Gabriella Damai Scavia, the organizing committee chairperson, highlighted the multifaceted nature of sexual harassment, emphasizing that victims often remain unaware of their situation, even in the absence of physical contact.
“Sexual violence extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing verbal abuse and exploitation through information and communication technologies, including online harassment,” she explained.
Furthermore, Gabriella provided practical guidance on reporting mechanisms, urging students to document incidents through screenshots and report them to appropriate authorities.
The session also addressed the root causes of sexual harassment, citing the prevalence of patriarchal societal structures and the insidious phenomenon of victim-blaming as significant contributing factors.
Participants were instructed on how to offer empathetic support to victims without judgment.
“As a preventative measure, we must assert personal boundaries with others and not be afraid to reject and leave situations that make us uncomfortable,” Gabriella concluded.
To foster active engagement, the program incorporated interactive quizzes and games. This approach successfully encouraged students to share their perspectives, answer questions, and even pose their own inquiries about the complex topic of sexual harassment, creating a safe and informative learning environment.
The initiative by STIKES Maharani exemplifies a proactive approach to addressing violence within schools, empowering young individuals to recognize, report, and ultimately, prevent such occurrences.
