Professor critical of kindergardeners reported for sexual abuse

Oslo.Kripos at Bryn in Oslo. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB scanpix

Between the years of 2012 to 2015, 1529 children under 18 years old age were reported for sexual abuse, according to figures from NCIS. Professor Thore Langfeldt is horrified that children in kindergarten age are criminalized.

“This is moral panic and hysteria. This is counterproductive. Children being labeled criminals develop a criminal identity,” says Thore Langfeldt, a professor of clinical psychology, to P4.
In 223 of these cases the children in question were twelve years old or younger. They concerned events where both parties were under 18 years of age. ‘A couple’ of children who are included in the statistics, are of kindergarten age.
“It is absolutely impossible to an be abuser as a three year old. There are children playing doctor and other similar games which adults unfortunately define as abuse,” says Langfeldt.
“These kids have nothing to do with the police. It’s scary to criminalize children so early. It is simply the worst thing I’ve ever heard. I think, unfortunately, neighboring parents and other adults have an overly low threshold when children are reported,” said Langfeldt.
NCIS understands the criticism, and emphasize that there are alternatives to reporting – as in contacting the police and then being guided further appropriately.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today