From having forcibly taken care of one to three newborn children per year for away adoption in Denmark, there has been an explosive development.
30 children were forcibly taken into care in 2020 and 29 children in 2021. The development has attracted attention in Denmark.
This is not the first time Danish politicians have tried to simplify for compulsory care.
Law changes were made in both 2009 and 2015, but they did not have the desired effect.
- There has been an attitude of resistance in the system towards separating children from their parents.
The figures indicate that this attitude is changing, says senior lecturer Hanne Hartoft at the Department of Law at Aalborg University to Kristeligt Dagblad.
New bill behind
In the spring of 2021, all but one of the political parties supported the agreement "Children First", which entails extensive changes to the laws that apply to children and young people.
In addition to facilitating adoptions, efforts will be made to provide more counseling to parents and the child's rights will be strengthened.
The legislative changes are not expected to be fully implemented until 2023, but Minister of Social Affairs and the Elderly Astrid Krag (S) is satisfied with the processes that the work on the bill and the Prime Minister's statement set in motion.
- I am pleased that you do what is right for the child and take the necessary measures, says Astrid Krag in an interview with Danmarks Radio.