Barn som utsatts för sexuella övergrepp och den rättsliga hanteringen. Svensk nationell rapport

The report concerns the Swedish legal system and the special conditions surrounding children subject to sexual abuse. In Sweden, the criminal proceedings place the same demands on children as on adults, i.e. that they be clear, concise and able to coherently describe the events they have experienced. The need to protect the adult perpetrator seems to prevail over the need to protect the child victim. Still, the Swedish political and judicial systems work together towards improving the status of the child victim in sexual abuse cases. The report raises the issue of continuous guidance for police officers and prosecutors, and calls for improved cooperation and coordination between the parties involved, coupled with an improved education and enhanced competence.