THE ROLE OF LAW IN PREVENTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Sexual violence in schools remains a serious challenge in ensuring the protection of children's rights and creating a safe learning environment. Schools, which should function as spaces for education and character development, are still vulnerable to various forms of sexual violence due to unequal power relations, low legal awareness, and the absence of effective prevention mechanisms. This community service program aims to strengthen legal awareness and preventive capacity related to sexual violence in the school environment, particularly at SMK PGRI Larangan. The methods applied include legal education, counseling, participatory discussions, mentoring, and training for students, teachers, and school staff. The program emphasizes the role of law as a preventive and protective instrument through the dissemination of relevant legal frameworks, such as the Child Protection Law and the Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS). The results of the activity show an increased understanding of legal protection mechanisms, reporting procedures, and the rights of victims of sexual violence. In addition, the program contributes to the development of a participatory social management system that supports the creation of a safe and violence-free school environment. This activity demonstrates that the integration of legal education, institutional policy strengthening, and community participation is essential in preventing sexual violence in schools in a sustainable manner