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Multisystemic Therapy in Juvenile Diversion: Toward Its Integration into Indonesia’s Juvenile Criminal Justice System
Abstract
This study examined the potential integration of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) into juvenile diversion within Indonesia’s juvenile criminal justice system. Although Indonesia has formally adopted restorative justice principles through Law No. 11 of 2012, diversion practices remain largely procedural and lack structured psychosocial intervention models. The study employed a qualitative approach combining normative legal analysis and empirical inquiry, including literature review, semi-structured interviews with 6 key stakeholders, and 1 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) conducted in Pekanbaru. This approach allowed for an evaluation of both the legal suitability and practical applicability of MST within Indonesia’s diversion system. The results indicate three key findings. First MST alighs with the juvenile diversion framework in Indonesia due to its focus on family-centered intervention, offender accountability, and active community participation. Second, current diversion practices remain largely administrative and do not adequately address the behavioral and environmental causes of juvenile offending. Third, several barriers to MST integration were identified, including limited regulatory support, a lack of trained professionals, and weak inter-agency coordination. This study proposes a conceptual model that positions MST as a structured intervention within diversion procedures, supported by regulatory reform, institutional capacity building, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The integration of MST is expected to strengthen diversion outcomes by enhancing rehabilitation effectiveness and reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders.
Keywords
References
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v1i2.36123
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