The government wants to ban children from staying in "inappropriate places"

Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) emphasizes that it is not a matter of collectively banning children from being in inappropriate places.

- It is a measure that must be implemented individually for a child who is not to stay in certain environments.

One can imagine streets and squares, parts of the city.

Maybe at limited times, she says.

This could, for example, be a place where open drug trafficking is taking place.

The purpose of a restraining order can both be to prevent a child from being involved in crime, but also to protect it from drug abuse.

- It can also be helpful for parents.

It is not always easy to set boundaries and know in which environments the children live, says Hallengren.

Intervene earlier

The inquiry into residence bans is part of the effort to provide the social services with new tools to be able to intervene earlier when a child is ill, without having to decide on compulsory care.

- It has been missing in the toolbox to be able to be a little tougher in the past to support children and parents, says Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg (S).

Even if the investigator should come to the conclusion that there is no need to introduce a residence ban as a possible measure, the government wants a bill by 21 May 2022.

According to Damberg, the fact that the investigation is being set up at the moment is partly due to the fact that National Police Chief Anders Thornberg stated earlier this spring that a window had been opened to stop new recruitment to criminal gangs, as many gang leaders are currently locked up.

- The police testify that they are increasingly trying to recruit or come into contact with children and young people to handle weapons and drugs, says Damberg.

Difficult questions

But being able to issue a residence ban for a child under the age of 18 is not uncontroversial.

The directives state that this would constitute a restriction on the child's fundamental freedoms and rights.

The investigator must take into account the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Can a residence ban not be in conflict with the Convention on the Rights of the Child?

- As I see it, it is rather the opposite. Not intervening in time, not ensuring that children and young people at risk receive help and support - it is contrary to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, says Hallengren.