Over the course of a year, Ivo has carried out enhanced supervision of the State Institutions Board's (SiS) special youth homes where young girls are cared for and has found deficiencies in all twelve youth homes where girls are placed.
In two of the cases, Ivo judged that the misconduct was so serious that there was reason to instruct Sis to take immediate measures.
- That one is exposed to violence, threats, violations and separations that are not supported by law.
In total, 19 of the 21 reviewed youth homes were criticized for serious shortcomings.
Lacks support in the law
The report shows, among other things, that staff at 14 out of 21 youth homes have used restraints and closures in a way that is not supported by the law.
According to the report, girls are particularly vulnerable.
The number of segregation, where children and young people are locked in an isolation room, has also nearly doubled for girls between 2019 and 2021 and is used in a way that is not supported by the law.
The inspection also shows two cases where staff work with children and young people despite an ongoing investigation into sexual crimes.
The young girls who are placed in Sis for care often have mental illness and complex needs, according to Sofia Wallström.
- They are at Sis to receive care and a safe environment.
To then see such serious examples is completely unacceptable and in some cases it can be downright life-threatening and risks increasing their mental illness.
It is the exact opposite of Sis' mission, she says.
The government acts
The government writes in a press release as a response to IVO's review:
- What appears in the report is very serious.
That young girls are subjected to sexual abuse is criminal.
I get angry, sad and upset.
The situation has gone too far.
That's enough now.
The government is therefore reviewing SiS's mission, says Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.
It also presents a series of measures that it intends to take to address the problems at the SIS homes.
In the clip below, statistics are presented that show that suicide attempts at SIS homes are also increasing:
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In the clip, SVT's reporter explains what Sis is and how much suicide attempts have increased among girls placed there.
Photo: SVT