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Report Reveals Gaps in Child Protection

21/01/2024

Thursday 18 January, Stine Sofie's Foundation launched the Children's Accident Commission Report, to which we contributed with the legal analyses. The focus for this year's report was the smallest children.

Reading time 3 minutes

The report highlights that healthcare professionals and police lack effective tools for detecting and preventing the escalation of violence against children.  The Children's Accident Commission Report, first introduced last year, is an annual publication focusing on the legal rights of children and adolescents who are victims of violence and abuse. The report was presented at an event on January 19th in Oslo, and was delivered to the Minister of Children and Family Affairs, Kjersti Toppe, who was in attendance.

This year's report specifically addresses issues related to violence against unborn children, mandatory investigation of death scenes, and the voice of the youngest children in the legal system.  

– Lack of Children's Voice in Legal Matters 

Our partner, Jørgen Vangsnes, opened the event by discussing the initiative;

"As lawyers we are accustomed to balancing of considerations in the rules we work with, which are again based on considerations. Considerations made by those who have a voice. What can often be overlooked in our daily legal work, but becomes apparent in this project, is who doesn't have a voice – specifically, the youngest children", Vangsnes stated before handing the stage over to Inga Marte Thorkildsen from the Stine Sofie Foundation.  

Among the suggestions in the report is the implementation of mandatory death scene investigations in Norway for all children who die suddenly and unexpectedly at home.  

"A mandatory death scene investigation provides better legal protection for all children, particularly those who have been victims of fatal violence at home. It also offers improved protection for children living daily with the threat of violence," stated Line Duesund Svendsen, who, along with Endre Bendixen, is a legal advisor at Stine Sofie's Foundation.  In addition to Minister Toppe, State Secretaries Ellen Rønning-Arnesen from the Ministry of Health and Care Services and Sigve Bolstad from the Ministry of Justice also attended the event.

State Secretaries Ellen Rønning-Arnesen from the Ministry of Health and Care Services, Sigve Bolstad from the Ministry of Justice, Minister of Children and Family Affairs, Kjersti Toppe and Founder of Stine Sofies Foundation, Ada Sofie Austegard.
State Secretaries Ellen Rønning-Arnesen from the Ministry of Health and Care Services, Sigve Bolstad from the Ministry of Justice, Minister of Children and Family Affairs, Kjersti Toppe and Founder of Stine Sofies Foundation, Ada Sofie Austegard.

– Significant Impact 

Secretary-General Ada Sofie Austegard expressed hope that politicians will thoroughly consider the report's recommendations.  

"It depends on the will – and is solely about recognising the value of children as equal to that of adults. Children cannot hire a well-known lawyer to fight in the media; it's their voice we must represent – but it is the politicians who decide if they dare to be bold enough to interpret the constitution in a way that does not hinder the legal rights of children", summarised Austegard, addressing the politicians.  

"Now is the time for Norway to become the safest place in the world for children. Here, we must protect the children", she stated.  

Inga Marte Thorkildsen guided us through the launch of the second edition of the Children's Accident Commission Report.
Inga Marte Thorkildsen guided us through the launch of the second edition of the Children's Accident Commission Report.

Thanking Wikborg Rein 

Austegard concluded the launch by thanking Wikborg Rein for the excellent collaboration.  

"I can't express how grateful we are to have them on our team. Not only is Wikborg Rein a part of the Children's Accident Commission with their sharp legal minds to ensure the legal correctness of our initiatives, but we also receive funding from them to continue this important work further. Many thanks!"  

Minister Toppe promised to take primary responsibility for thoroughly reviewing the proposals. 

"Thank you for the report and the very impactful presentations. This is a societal challenge that we must take very seriously, and these are incredibly important inputs. Both this year's and last year's reports have clear recommendations", Toppe noted.  

A special thank you to Miriam Ekhorn, Elise Nedregaard, Vilde Hordnes, Helene Søvik, Ola Marin Abrahamsen, Lars Erik Kvinnsland, Fredrik Gisholt, and Jørgen Vangsnes for their work on the legal analyses in the Children's Accident Commission Report

Group photo from the Children's Accident Investigation Board 2024
Inga Marte Torkildsen, Helene Søvik, Vilde Hordnes, Miriam Ekhorn, Jørgen Vangsnes, Marit Høigilt, Ada Sofie Austegard, Geir Sviggum, Heidi Skuterud, Elise Nedregaard, Endre Bendixen, Kristin Stokke, Line Duesund Svendsen og Stian Tobiassen were all present at the launch of the Children's Accident Investigation Board in Oslo
Authors
Profile image of Henrik Skjevestad
Henrik Skjevestad
Communications Consultant
Profile image of Jørgen Vangsnes
Jørgen Vangsnes
Partner

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