This study aims to determine the factors of child neglect after divorce, review legal protection based on Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, and identify solutions and prevention of such cases in Bantayan Village, Simpang Ulim District, East Aceh Regency. This study uses a normative-empirical legal approach, with qualitative methods and data collection techniques through interviews, observations, and documentation of child victims, caregivers, and village officials. The results of the study indicate that the main factors of child neglect after divorce include economic problems, parental remarriage, parents who migrate and lose contact, lack of responsibility and communication between parents, and minimal intervention from the village government or related institutions. Based on Law Number 35 of 2014 Article 26 paragraph (1), it was found that children's rights to care, protection, and education were not fulfilled. Reviewed from the Best Interest of the Child theory by John Eekelaar, the condition of these children does not reflect the fulfillment of the child's best interests. Therefore, an active role is needed from all parties to prevent and handle similar cases, including through increasing legal awareness and collaboration between village governments and child protection agencies.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor penelantaran anak pasca perceraian, meninjau perlindungan hukum berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 tentang Perlindungan Anak, serta mengidentifikasi solusi dan pencegahan kasus tersebut di Desa Bantayan, Kecamatan Simpang Ulim, Kabupaten Aceh Timur. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan yuridis normatif-empiris, dengan metode kualitatif dan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi terhadap anak korban, kerabat pengasuh, dan aparat desa. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor utama penelantaran anak pasca perceraian meliputi masalah ekonomi, pernikahan kembali orang tua, orang tua yang merantau dan hilang kontak, kurangnya tanggung jawab serta komunikasi orang tua, dan minimnya intervensi dari pemerintah desa maupun lembaga terkait. Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 Pasal 26 ayat (1), ditemukan bahwa hak anak atas pengasuhan, perlindungan, dan pendidikan tidak terpenuhi. Ditinjau dari teori Best Interest of the Child oleh John Eekelaar, kondisi anak-anak tersebut tidak mencerminkan terpenuhinya kepentingan terbaik anak. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan peran aktif semua pihak untuk mencegah dan menangani kasus serupa, termasuk melalui peningkatan kesadaran hukum dan kolaborasi antara pemerintah desa dan lembaga perlindungan anak.