Camilla Slettvoll Berger (32) knows a lot about what it’s like to carry the worst secret. As a child, she was sexually abused over six years by an adult she knew. Only after a few years did she dare to tell some friends about it. – You don’t want to tell anyone what happened. There are strong psychological mechanisms that make children hold back. The shame is so extreme. And it is a closed room. She was almost an adult when she dared to tell adults. That is why she never came in for questioning at an orphanage, but with “regular” police. She was believed. But she has to live with what has happened. – I don’t think people understand how extensive and invasive an assault is. For Camilla, it is important to be open about what she has been exposed to. This is how she hopes to help children who are in pain today. Photo: Barbro Andersen / news 25 percent fewer interrogations It is here to the Barnehuset that a child in Nordland comes when there is suspicion of violence or abuse. The children’s home has existed for ten years, and in the first six years there was an increase in the number of interrogations each year. However, in the last three years – from 2020 – to 2023 – something has happened. Here, there has been a decrease in the number of interviews arranged by a total of 29 per cent. The figures from all 11 children’s homes across the country show a total decrease of 25 per cent from 2018 to 2022. – We have been going on for 10 years now and the first six years there was an increase every year. Then came the pandemic and there were slightly fewer arranged interviews, says manager at the Children’s House in Bodø, Siv Anita Bjørnsen. There are two good chairs in the interrogation room. One for the child to be questioned. In the other sits a policeman or woman who has special training in talking to children. A video recording will be made that can be used in court. Photo: Barbro Andersen / news Surprised by the decline Actually, they were sure that the number of interrogations would increase after the corona pandemic. – We expected a large increase when the country reopened. But it turns out that hasn’t happened. Do you know why there are fewer interrogations? – We don’t have the answer to that. This is happening all over the country, and we are surprised. Also because there is more abuse online now, and there is more openness around the topic. – We register that there are fewer and we will find out. It may also be the case that already in an early phase there is interdisciplinary cooperation and that such a good job is done that the case does not belong to the police, explains Bjørnsen. Bjørnsen says there is no reason to believe that fewer children are exposed to violence and abuse. Siv Anita Bjørnsen, head of the Children’s House in Bodø Photo: Andreas Trygstad / news – We have no research that says that there has been less violence and abuse. – Half of the children do not tell Several research reports show a complex picture when it comes to the extent of violence and abuse against children. The survey “Youth Violence 2023” shows a slight decrease in the extent of milder physical violence from parents in recent years, while the extent of serious violence is stable to slightly increasing. In this year’s NOVA report from Oslo Met, it is stated that family-related violence has become less common overall, while sexual violence from peers has increased. – A number of self-report surveys have been carried out. There, half answer that those who have experienced violence and abuse do not tell anyone about it. So it is extremely important that we take children seriously and do not ignore what they say. At the Children’s Home in Bodø, they sometimes do 10–12 arranged interviews in the course of a week. This summer it has been quieter with perhaps only two to three interviews a week. Interview coordinator Charlotte Ryen Berg (left) and manager Siv Anita Bjørnsen at the Statens barnehus in Bodø. Photo: Barbro Andersen / news The management at the State Children’s Home in Bodø now believes that we must do more to uncover violence and abuse against children. – We must ensure that those who are out in the field, e.g. nurseries and schools, have the expertise. In 2018, we set up a consultation team, where e.g. Employees of the municipality can call in and get some advice and guidance. Facts about Statens barnehus The children’s house is part of the police and assists in cases where children may have been exposed to or witnessed violence or sexual abuse. Organized interrogations of children are carried out at the children’s homes. Medical examinations are also carried out if necessary. The children’s home also provides advice and guidance in anonymous cases that have not been resolved. The staff at the children’s homes are civil servants and have children’s expertise. There are orphanages in 11 places in the country. Source: The police and the Statens barnehus The Attorney General is following developments. Many of the arranged interviews are conducted in cases of abuse in close relationships, sexual offenses and other serious offenses against children. – The Attorney General is concerned that these cases should be uncovered and clarified, writes State Attorney Marthe Gaarder to news. At the Attorney General’s Office, they are familiar with developments at the Children’s Homes. – There are no changes to the regulations or the Attorney General’s directives that could explain the decline. Gaarder says they are following the development, and will continually assess whether there is a need to look more closely at the cause of the decline. – Become very good actors Camilla Slettvoll Berger in Bodø is surprised that the number of interviews at the Children’s House in Bodø is decreasing. – It’s a bit scary. For all of us who know something about this, we understand that there are a lot of dark figures here. Online abuse is on the rise and the propensity to abuse children exists. This is a major societal problem. Camilla wants to help children who are exposed to violence and abuse dare to tell. Photo: Barbro Andersen / news Even the mother of two manages to have a good life, despite what she has experienced. – Now it went well for me, and I really want it to go well for those who come after. She believes that many children who are exposed to abuse work hard to hide it. – I was going to be picked up by my abuser at school one day and I ran towards him, shouted his name and jumped into his arms, in joy. Everything to hide from the outside world that there was something wrong between us. So you become very good actors. In October, she will give a lecture at a large conference organized by the Children’s Home in Bodø, which will mark the fact that they have existed for 10 years. – There is a great need to do something. And these kids aren’t going to demand the attention themselves, I think. It takes so much.
ttn-69
Fewer children than in the past are questioned at orphanages – many do not dare to tell about abuse and violence – news Nordland
