Home should be a safe place, but for many children in Sweden it is the opposite.
In recent years, an average of ten children per year have been killed in Sweden, and most often it is a parent who is the perpetrator.
– What many of these cases have in common is that various authorities and bodies have known that there was a concern, says Erik Ulnes, expert at Save the Children.
Criticism of the safety net
Several experts that SVT Nyheter has been in contact with express criticism of society’s safety net.
Lack of knowledge, poor cooperation between various social actors and staff shortages in social services are some examples that are mentioned.
– Social services do not have the conditions to fulfill their important mission, says Linn Nordin, expert at the children’s rights organization Maskrosbarn.
Lack of children’s rights perspective
Another problem mentioned is the strong position of parental rights in Sweden.
– The legislation consists of a parental perspective with a little child perspective, says Annika Rejmer, docent in legal sociology at Uppsala University.
– You look at what the parents want and express rather than looking at what is best for the children, says Linn Nordin at Maskrosbarn.
“You have to take a second look”
Over the years, there have been new laws meant to protect children from lethal violence and strengthen their legal standing, but critics describe it as band-aiding a system that is fundamentally broken.
Annika Rejmer compares with our Nordic neighbours:
– Everyone has made major reforms and Sweden is helplessly lagging behind.
Minister of Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M) says that several changes are underway, including improved privacy legislation and a new social services law that emphasizes preventive work more.
– In 2024, several of these proposals will be put on the table, she claims.
