Padjadjaran Public Relations Fair (PPRF) is an international level communication student competition organized by Hima Humas Fikom Unpad and has been held for 13 consecutive years. This year, PPRF is under the support of the Epicentrum of Padjadjaran University along with 5 other competitions. PPRF has 2 branches of competition, which are OlymPR and PRodcast. OlymPR : OlymPR is a competition based on Public Relations Strategic Planning. PRodcast : PRodcast is a creative podcast competition that applies Public Relations principles which focuses on research.

Breaking the Cycle of Harmful Family: Understanding the Multiple Roots of Violence Against Children

Child maltreatment remains a systemic and deeply concerning issue in Indonesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines violence against children as all forms of abuse and neglect affecting individuals under 18 years old, including physical, emotional, and sexual violence, as well as exploitation and neglect that harm a child’s health, development, and dignity. Recent national data reinforces the urgency of this issue. As of July 2025, the SIMFONI-PPA system recorded 15,615 cases of child violence, with the majority occurring within households, a space that should serve as a child’s primary source of safety. Multiple interconnected factors contribute to this cycle of violence. Socioeconomic pressure, particularly within low-income families, heightens parental stress and increases the risk of harmful disciplinary practices. Cultural norms also shape how violence is perceived in some communities, harsh verbal expression or physical punishment is normalized as a form of care or discipline. These perspectives complicate prevention efforts by blurring the line between protection and harm. The impacts on children are profound and long-term. Survivors of violence face increased risks of anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional regulation difficulties, and impaired social relationships that can persist into adulthood. Left unaddressed, these consequences threaten not only individual well-being but also the broader vision of Indonesia’s future human capital. Addressing this crisis requires cross-sector collaboration, strengthened protection systems, public education, and more effective grassroots communication. However, institutional efforts still face sociocultural barriers, particularly the normalization of violent parenting narratives. The 14th Padjadjaran Public Relations Fairs 2026, through the theme “Breaking the Cycle of Harmful Family: Understanding the Multiple Roots of Violence Against Children,” highlights communication as a critical intervention point. Violence is not only enacted through actions but also transmitted through messages, language, and parenting narratives. By reshaping family communication into one that is empathetic, participatory, and child-centered, this initiative seeks to disrupt intergenerational cycles of harm and foster safer environments for children.