Norway registers increase of negative social control cases

Sad girlPhoto: DANNY G / Unsplash

Norway registered an increase in cases of negative social control in the first half of this year.

When the schools closed, fewer people contacted the minority counselors about being exposed to negative social control, threats, and violence. 

As the schools reopened, so did the inquiries. 

According to the Directorate for Integration and Diversity (IMDi), that gives authorities reason to fear high numbers of cases. 

According to the report, many vulnerable children and young people may have been prevented from contacting minority counselors during the corona pandemic because they have not had the opportunity to leave home or have confidential conversations.

“Worried”

“It is quite serious if young people who need to talk to an adult about control, pressure, threats, and violence have not had the opportunity to do so. 

“I am worried about the numbers and hope the young people get in touch now,” Minister of Education and Integration Guri Melby (V) noted.

There was an overall increase in cases in the first half of this year, compared with previous years, by a total of 285 cases. 

That is a small increase compared to 2019 and a marked increase compared to 2018. 

About half of the cases concerned negative social control.

Expanding the scheme

The IMDi’s 49 minority advisers are deployed at selected schools across the country. 

They help students who are at risk of or are exposed to negative social control, honor-related violence, forced marriage, or genital mutilation. 

In the budget for 2021, the government proposes to expand the scheme.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today

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