Violence against children

Violence against children can mean abandonment, but also physical, emotional or sexual abuse. For example, an adult neglects, shouts at, shakes, hits, or pulls the hair of a child. An adult can also abuse a child in many ways, for example, physically and emotionally.

Dare to seek help if you have been abused as a child, as this experience can affect your well-being as an adult, causing anxiety, sleep disturbances, suicidality, mistrust, etc.

What to do?

Talk to someone you trust. Seek professional help if you feel that the support of loved ones is not enough. The Social Insurance Board’s Child Helpline 116 111 and victim support helpline 116 006 are available 24/7 to listen to you and offer advice and support.
Report the abuse to the police. Even if it has been years since it happened to you, talking to the police can help you make peace with what happened. It also reduces the risk that the person who abused you will behave in a similar way to another child.
Experience of abuse can increase risk behaviour. Seek help if you are taking too many intoxicants, have problems in an intimate relationship, etc.

Different conflicts can be resolved through restorative justice. For example, restorative justice can help in cases of intimate partner violence and sexual violence, hate crime, stalking in a harassing manner, traffic offences, accidents, cybercrimes, offences, theft and fights. Read more about restorative justice here.