To See and Be Seen: A Swedish Register Study on Children Who Witness Family Violence

Abstract

Authorities and civilians can make a report-of-concern to Social Services if they suspect a child is experiencing or witnessing violence. In 2021, Sweden implemented new legislation that considers children as victims of crime not only when abused but also when witnessing family violence, i.e., Barnfridsbrott. This study aimed to describe and analyze reports-of-concern regarding children witnessing family violence. Are there any changes in number of reports over the years? Who is reporting? And what interventions are most frequent? This is a register-based study of reports-of-concern in Gävle municipality in Sweden for the years 2018–2022. This unique register makes it possible to identify and follow up reported cases as long as they are active by Social Services. Results show there was already a major increase in the number of reports-of-concern in 2020. Most reports are made by Social Services and the police. Of all reports related to family violence, an increasing number lead to further investigations. In most of those cases, the children stay with their families, and Social Services offer counselling. Conclusion: there was a distinct increase in reports related to children witnessing family violence already starting in 2020 in the studied municipality, before the new legislation was implemented.