Childhood Comes but Once National Strategy to Combat Violence and Sexual Abuse Against Children and Youth (2014–2017)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Strategy Childhood comes but once National strategy to combat violence and sexual abuse against children and youth (2014–2017) Strategy Childhood comes but once National strategy to combat violence and sexual abuse against children and youth (2014–2017) 4 FOREWORD As a society, Norway has come a long way in its efforts to protect children and adolescents from violence, sexual abuse and bullying. The progress we have achieved is attributable to policy decisions, legislation, increased knowledge, public discussion, media attention and the work of professionals, parents and children themselves. We do not permit parents to harm their children, and we express collective grief and alarm when we hear of children exposed to serious abuse. To the vast majority of parents in Norway, nothing is more important than the well-being of children. All the same, violence and sexual abuse, whether in the family or elsewhere, are a part of daily life for many children. Extensive research shows how consequential violence may be, whether it is directed at a parent or the child itself, and whether it takes the form of direct physical violence, sexual abuse or bullying. Violence can lead to extensive cognitive, social, psychological and physical problems in both the short and long term. Violence against children and adolescents is a public health challenge. The approach to violence and sexual abuse against children in Norwegian society must be one of zero tolerance. We want safety and security for all children, enabling them to enjoy good health and a good quality of life as they grow. Taboos must be broken. We must possess the skills and the courage to see children's pain – even when it’s not readily visible. Then we must act, and we must know which form of help is correct in each situation. Adults have a responsibility to expose violence, abuse and bullying in the lives of children and youth, and to prevent such acts whenever possible. To do this, we must put more focus on the child’s perspective. Knowledge and skills must be developed in line with the needs of children and adolescents. Vulnerable children must feel protected, seen and understood. Their input should be accorded significant weight in policy development and programme design. Children, young people and their families are entitled to get the right kind of help at the right time. Services must be accessible, with agencies collaborating across professions in the best interests of the child. Most kids find the help they need at home, at school or in day care, but others have to be placed outside the home for their own protection and optimal care. The strategy and programmatic measures presented here are the result of collaboration and coordination among the four ministries. This is our shared foundation of knowledge and our shared set of priorities for combating violence and sexual abuse against children and young people, both within the family and in the other environments they frequent. Oslo, 2 September 2013 InIngaga Marte Thorkildsen JonasJo na s GahrGa hr StøreStø re Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Minister of Health and Care Services KrKristinis ti n HaHalvorsenlvorse n GreteGr et FaremoFa Minister of Education and Research Minister of Justice and Public Security 5 CONTENTS CONTENTS PART I STRATEGY GOALS .................................................. ................................................... ................................ 10 THE STRATEGY .................................................. ................................................... ................... 11 BACKGROUND .................................................. ................................................... .................... 12 STRENGTHENING THE CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE .................................................. ......................... 13 CHALLENGES AND MEASURES .................................................. ............................................... 14 DEL II THE KNOWLEDGE BASE CHAPTER 01 OUR OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES – LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS CHILDREN ........... 38 1.1 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant conventions ...................................... 39 1.2 The Children Act .................................................. ................................................... ............. 39 1.3 The Child Welfare Act .................................................. ................................................... ....... 41 1.4 The relationship between the Child Welfare Act and the Children Act ............................................ 42 1.5 The Penal Code .................................................. ................................................... ............... 42 CHAPTER 02 TERMS AND THEIR MEANINGS .................................................. ................................................ 44 2.1 Introduction .................................................. ................................................... .................... 45 2.2 Violence as a general concept .................................................. ............................................... 45 CHAPTER 03 VIOLENCE IN CHILD AND YOUTH CIRCLES .................................................. .............................. 52 3.1 Bullying .................................................. ................................................... ......................... 53 3.2 Violence in dating relationships .................................................. ............................................. 53 3.3 Boys who commit violence .................................................. ................................................... 54 3.4 Girls who commit violence .................................................. ................................................... 54 3.5 Development of violent behaviour – risk factors .................................................. ....................... 55 CHAPTER 04 SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH .................................................. .............................. 57 4.1 Forms of sexual abuse – what does the law say? .................................................. ....................... 58 4.2 What we know about abusers .................................................. ................................................ 58 4.3 Children and adolescents who commit sexual abuse .................................................. ................. 60 4.4 Abuse in institutions and foster homes .................................................. ................................... 61 4.5 Sexual abuse within minority populations and religious communities ............................................. 61 CHAPTER 05 DIGITAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH .................................................. ........................... 64 5.1 Laws and rights .................................................. ................................................... ............... 65 5.2 Abuse and threats on the Internet and in social media .................................................. ............... 67 5.3 Studies of Internet use by children and adolescents .................................................. .................. 68 6 CONTENTS CHAPTER 06 SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM .................................................. ................................................... 72 6.1 Physical violence .................................................. ................................................... ............. 73 6.2 Sexual abuse .................................................. ................................................... ................... 73 6.3 Child abuse material online .................................................. ................................................... 75 6.4 Psychological violence................................................... ................................................... ...... 75 6.5 Neglect .................................................. ................................................... .......................... 75 6.6 Bullying .................................................. ................................................... ......................... 76 6.7 Prevalence of digital harassment and bullying .................................................. .......................... 76 6.8 Children may be exposed to numerous abuses and stresses .................................................. ........ 78 CHAPTER 07 RISK AND PROTECTION .................................................. ................................................... ....... 79 7.1 Risk and protective factors .................................................. ................................................... 80 7.2 Groups at risk .................................................. ................................................... ................. 82 CHAPTER 08 CONSEQUENCES OF EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE .......................................... 86 8.1 Violence may lead to substantial physical and psychological harm ................................................. 87 8.2 Consequences of bullying .................................................. ................................................... 89 8.3 Long-term effects .................................................. ................................................... ............ 90 CHAPTER 09 PREVENTION: BETTER THAN CURE .................................................. ........................................