Legal Education Proven Effective in Raising Public Awareness and Preventing Youth Delinquency in Siwal Village

Ilustration by AI 

FORMOSA NEWS

Residents at the Siwal Village Hall, Baki District, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, now have a deeper understanding of the legal boundaries surrounding teenage behavior. A team of researchers and academics from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS)—comprising Marisa Kurnianingsih, Andria Luhur Prakoso, Fahmi Fairuzzaman, and Lutfi Robiatul Adawiyah—conducted a legal socialization program as a preventive measure to protect the younger generation. Held on Friday, December 12, 2025, this educational initiative proved urgent given the rising trend of juvenile misconduct that often leads to serious legal consequences.

The phenomenon of juvenile delinquency currently presents a worrying trend. Entering a transitional phase of identity seeking, teenagers are highly vulnerable to emotional instability and environmental pressures. Various forms of misconduct extend beyond physical spaces—such as street fights, drug abuse, alcohol consumption, bullying, and theft—to digital spaces through online gambling and other risky online activities. Initially, many community members viewed these actions merely as ordinary mischief, despite their clear legal implications.

To evaluate and enhance public legal literacy, the UMS academics applied a descriptive qualitative approach. The team collected primary data through direct observation and interactive discussion sessions with 37 residents of Siwal Village, supported by secondary data from reviews of legal regulations and scientific literature. All collected data were systematically analyzed to assess the effectiveness of legal education in shifting public perception.

The community service initiative demonstrated significant positive outcomes:

• Increased Legal Understanding: Prior to the program, public awareness regarding the legal consequences of juvenile delinquency was limited. Following the socialization, residents could clearly distinguish between violations of social norms and actual legal infractions.
• Shift in Handling Perspective: Residents began viewing youth who encounter the law not merely as offenders requiring punishment, but as individuals needing protection, guidance, and support.
• Strengthened Environmental Role: Parent and community awareness increased regarding the necessity of supervising youth interactions across both physical environments and digital platforms.

The implications of this initiative underscore that educational and preventive approaches are far more effective than purely punitive measures. The findings offer key insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies, demonstrating that safeguarding the younger generation requires continuous synergy between the government, families, and local communities.

In their report, Marisa Kurnianingsih and the team from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta emphasized that public legal awareness serves as the foundational pillar for creating a safe social environment that supports positive adolescent development.

Author Profiles:

• Marisa Kurnianingsih, S.H., M.H. – Lecturer and Researcher at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Expertise: Law and Child/Community Protection.
• Andria Luhur Prakoso, S.H., M.H. – Lecturer and Researcher at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Expertise: Legal Studies and Community Outreach.
• Fahmi Fairuzzaman, S.H., M.H. – Academic at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Expertise: Social and Community Law.
• Lutfi Robiatul Adawiyah – Community Service Research Team Member, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.

Research Source:

Article Title: Legal Socialization about Juvenile Delinquency as a Form of Protecting the Young Generation
Journal: Indonesian Journal of Society Development (IJSD), Vol. 5, No. 3, 2026, pp. 313–318
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijsd.v5i3.30

URL : https://journalijsd.my.id/index.php/ijsd/index