One in two foster kids sexually abused

Published: 17 Oct 09 13:52 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22720/20091017/

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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 or 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.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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Your comments about this article:

15:24 October 17, 2009 by Deema
I am curious to see how this will be magically turned into immigrant vs Swedish discussion...
15:33 October 17, 2009 by DavidtheNorseman
So by the numbers, children are safer with their parents....suprise, suprise.......
15:57 October 17, 2009 by workforthesoup
Thats staggering, Nonetheless, to judge anything, what is Swedish definition of Sexual abuse? E.g:If the child comes to know that his/her foster parent and parent is taking shower together, is that sexual abuse?
18:18 October 17, 2009 by Weird_X
No different to any other country in the world. Many pervs see foster kids as an 'easy prey'

@Deema: I don't see how sexual abuse of foster kids is related to 'immigrants vs swedish' ;) but i guess we'll see...
20:31 October 17, 2009 by Michael84
Sex abuse has a tremendous effect on kids which affects many things in their life including the partner they'll pick. hope this death penalty issued by Uppsala chairman apply to these perverted animals.
21:13 October 17, 2009 by code850
Yet another sign of the failure of the western individualistic life style.
02:00 October 18, 2009 by Weird_X
@Leprehcaun:

are you an irish lad? dunno cos your nick is spelt a bit wrong
02:43 October 18, 2009 by RoyceD
you know a link to the report would be nice, I'd like to come to my own conclusions when possible.
07:32 October 18, 2009 by Moshe
"@Leprehcaun:

are you an irish lad? dunno cos your nick is spelt a bit wrong"

No, he is an immigrant from Northern Ire and he is learning to spell in order to have a discussion of the Swedish, humanistic values as mentioned in this report.

Me thinks he might just be a roo from down under and some mate left the gate to the upper paddock unlocked and he fled to Ire.

Leprehcaun, if you like the way you spell your name then so mote it be!
11:18 October 18, 2009 by Nemesis
I am from Northern Ireland, namely Ulster. I am of Ulster-Scots descent, which means I can argue with anyone as it is my cultural right:)

I say find out who the abusers are and torture them to death, slowly and painfully.

Anyone who abuses a child should not be classed as human. Child abusers should be seen as what they are, vermin to be killed.

We had this problem in Ireland with the catholic church sexually abusing every child it could get its hands on. Most of it is still covered up, with the Irish taxpayer paying most of the catholic church's fines.

Anyone who makes excuses for child abusers should be incarcated until they learn that child abuse is wrong.

CHILD ABUSERS SHOULD BE EXECUTED.
15:57 October 18, 2009 by powerofknowledge
I partley agree with u

in some crimes EXECUTION is the least penality

Like in (Fritzl case in Austria) esp. when the psychiatrics said that (he is a healthy and dont have a psychological problem) 24 years of prison and incest and 7 children is that just a CRIME its more than that

but giving him 3 times meal and a warm place and a toilet to empty his dirrty in it its NOT a suitable penality
16:36 October 18, 2009 by voiceofreason
What ever happened to the extended family system. God forbid I die in my youth but I can expect someone from my relations (cousin, in-laws etc ) to take care of my kids.

Foster parents are often paid so it's just business for most of them, no strings attached.
18:14 October 18, 2009 by Weird_X
@Leprehcaun: i didn't say your short

...jasus i better check that gutter!! :D
01:28 October 19, 2009 by Moshe
"One in two foster kids sexually abused"

One in two Swedish adults sexually abuse children. Really nice blokes you Sweds are.
10:51 October 19, 2009 by Jan-Bug
This is horrifying news and I almost regret reading the article. But is anyone surprised the perpetrator is protected and not the victim in this country? I'm not. And that is nothing new.

A person who abuse children for his/her own pleasure or else what for that matter should receive a bullet between the eyes cause REHAB DOES NOT WORK for these a-holes! They are sick in their brains and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do to "fix" them so STOP TRYING!

It's not THEM who needs the rehab and professional help folks, it's the VICTIM! You know, "the poor little human being who most likely is going to suffer from this his/her whole life to some extent"?

This country is so screwed up people, in so many ways, you have no idea. I have been out of this country for long periods of time in the past and I'm seriously considering leaving this sh-hole for good this time.

No wonder why we have so many kids around with "issues".
21:19 October 19, 2009 by mkvgtired
Oh no. The Swedish prison numbers are going to swell. I foresee a lot of 1year prison sentences coming.
22:39 October 19, 2009 by Moshe
Leprehcaun

I appreciate the advice but it was meant to be sarcasm and nothing else.

I noticed you like to use the expression "I don't have the energy." Is it because you are tired from working or is it due to your lack of insight and knowledge of the English language?

When you make such a statement more than once, it states you lack the insight and knowledge to express yourself in English or in your daily routine. Jawohl?
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