Support for children and young people
Support and protection for children who experience or witness violence. Here you’ll find facts, contact options, and the types of support you can receive.
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Please note that all forms, digital applications (e-services) and some linked websites are currently in Swedish. Contact Citizen Service if you need help in English.
Support and protection for children
It’s never your fault
When there are fights at home or someone uses violence, it is never the child’s fault. The adult is always responsible for the violence. There is nothing you can do that makes the violence your responsibility. It is the adults who must change the situation and ensure the violence stops.
Violence affects everyone
Violence harms not only the person directly exposed. Children living in a family where violence occurs are strongly affected, even if they are not physically harmed. Those who use violence are also negatively affected. Violence often leads to fear, anxiety, stress, and poor health for the whole family. That is why it is important to seek help. At the Violence Support Center, both children and adults can get support.
Witnessing violence is psychological violence
When a child sees or hears a parent or family member being subjected to violence, it is considered psychological violence. The child then becomes a victim of crime. Living in an environment with fights and threats creates great insecurity, affects children’s emotions, and can lead to both physical and psychological problems.
Violence in close relationships – what it is
Violence in close relationships means violence between people who have a close bond, such as parents, partners, or other family members. It can involve hitting and threats but also control, restrictions, or insults. Violence in close relationships is a crime under the law. It is also a major social problem that affects public health and is a gender equality issue, since women and children are usually the most affected.
Different types of violence
- Psychological violence
- Physical violence
- Sexual violence
- Material violence
- Economic violence
- Latent violence (threats, control, and fear)
How to get help
Tell a trusted adult
Living in a family where an adult uses violence can feel like a difficult secret to share. But it’s good—and important—to talk to a trusted adult, for example a teacher, someone at your school, a youth clinic, or a health centre. You have the right to tell and to get help.
If you are afraid
If you are afraid or feel threatened, ask someone you trust for help. If you are in an acute, dangerous situation, or if a crime has just happened or is still happening—call 112.
Violence Support Service
The Violence Support Service is located at City Hall. Children who have been subjected to violence or who have witnessed violence have the right to protection, advice and support, as well as care and treatment—both in emergencies, in the short term, and in the longer term. Help can be provided in group activities or as individual sessions with a therapist.
Trappan
Processing/therapeutic conversations for children and young people aged 4–18 who have experienced violence at home. Sessions take place 8–10 times, usually once a week. Through play and creative activities, the child gets the chance to understand what happened, be relieved of guilt and responsibility, and build safety for the future.
For Trappan sessions to be possible, the child cannot have contact with the person using violence (the perpetrator) while the series of sessions is ongoing.
Here and Now
Support sessions for children and young people who are still in contact with the person using violence. The sessions are individual, together with a therapist, and continue for as long as needed. The conversations focus on what is current for the child/young person and aim to put words to experiences, provide information about common reactions to violence, reduce guilt and shame, strengthen self-esteem and trust in adults, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Contact Team Mottagning
If you want to know more or seek support, contact Team Mottagning at +46 921 629 99.
Confidentiality
Duty of confidentiality
Social services have confidentiality and a duty of secrecy. It will not be broken without your consent.
When confidentiality can be broken
In certain serious crimes, social services must provide information to the police or prosecutor to protect you or someone else.
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Contact
Team Mottagning
E-mail: kommunen@boden.se
Phone: +46 921 620 00