Abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and exploitation

The Committee recalls its general comment No. 13 (2011) on the right of the child to freedom from all forms of violence and recommends that the State Party ensure the implementation of the proposals made in the Government Report: “Safe Childhood, secure future” by allocating sufficient financial and human resources.

The Committee recommends that the State Party strengthen the child´s position in child welfare cases, by ensuring that the child is heard, including by appointing a child representative scheme (BRO) and guidance on the “best interest assessment” principle and by strengthening competence requirement of the work force.

The Committee recommends that the State Party ensure the implementation of the recommendation in the Evaluation report on Statens Barnehus, in particular by strengthening the medical component, strenghen collaboration with the local child protection services and the follow up recovery services.

The Committee recommends that the State Party ensure a systematic response to bullying in all its forms and provide the adequate human, technical and financial resources for its implementation.

The Committee recommends that the State Party strengthen protection of, prevention, support and redress to children who are particularly vulnerable and exposed to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, including unaccompanied children, children with disabilities, children who break with gender and sexuality norms, Roma and Sami children.

The Committee recommends that the State Party establish a statutory duty for municipalities to have action plans to combat violence against children and violence in close relationships.

The Committee recommends that the State Party further implement measures to enhance awareness, including campaigns with the involvement of children, of child sexual abuse and exploitation and respond to all its manifestations, in particular online, including by strengthening the professional capacity and software tools to detect and investigate such abuse, promoting training for parents and teachers about risks online and the risks associated with sexting, and in order to combat the stigmatization of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Committee recommends that the State Party ensure the mandatory reporting of all forms of violence against children by promoting awareness among parents, professionals and children on the importance of reporting and on early intervention in cases of child abuse and violence.