Learning About Crime (A Study on Children in Conflict with the Law at LPKA of Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia)

Crime by adults may not be so astonishing. This will be different if it is committed by children, especially in relatively serious crimes, such as sexual crimes, murder, robbery, and others. This research focuses on how children learn about crime, which eventually makes them Anak yang Berkonflik dengan Hukum (ABH) – an Indonesian term for Children in conflict with the law – placed in Lembaga Pembinaan Khusus Anak (LPKA) – an Indonesian term for juvenile detention center – of Palembang. This study is based on the assumption that criminal behavior is learned, as stated by Edwin Sutherland in his Differential Association theory. This research uses qualitative perspective to find the depth of the background, actors, life, and the learning processes that influence children to commit crime. The subjects of this study are children in conflict with the law, LPKA officers, and activists of child’s rights. The data was collected through in-depth interviews, observations to ABH, and extraction of secondary data related to number and type of crime committed by children. Children who are detained in LPKA of Palembang mostly come from lower middle-class families and dropouts. The results of this study show that children learn to commit crime from peer groups, social environment, and mass media. It can be concluded that being selective in choosing peer groups and developing a positive social and family environment can protect children from being involved in crime.