One in two foster kids sexually abused
A government report reveals that half the number of children who grew up in Swedish foster homes or institutions over the last seventy years were exposed to sexual abuse.
The report, which was outed by SVT’s Rapport news programme, interviewed 400 people and revealed one in two had been the victim of sexual abuse or rape.
The figures were unexpected according to Göran Johansson, who led the study.
“I hadn’t anticipated the extent of the problem or the number of foster children exposed to such abuse," he told SVT.
The investigation was set up to survey how children from the 1920s to the 1990s experienced their childhood in society's care.
”We also have serious examples of how perpetrators were protected rather than the children’s stories being heard,” Johansson added.
An initial report was submitted at the beginning of the year and the survey will continue into 2011, aiming to hear evidence from 1,000 interviewees in total.
Following the completion of the investigation the government is expected to consider its position in regard to requests for damages.
Comments
See Also
The report, which was outed by SVT’s Rapport news programme, interviewed 400 people and revealed one in two had been the victim of sexual abuse or rape.
The figures were unexpected according to Göran Johansson, who led the study.
“I hadn’t anticipated the extent of the problem or the number of foster children exposed to such abuse," he told SVT.
The investigation was set up to survey how children from the 1920s to the 1990s experienced their childhood in society's care.
”We also have serious examples of how perpetrators were protected rather than the children’s stories being heard,” Johansson added.
An initial report was submitted at the beginning of the year and the survey will continue into 2011, aiming to hear evidence from 1,000 interviewees in total.
Following the completion of the investigation the government is expected to consider its position in regard to requests for damages.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.