A child is suspected to have been the victim of a serious sexual assault at a migration center in Sweden, prompting a crisis response from Save the Children and raising concerns about safety risks at the facility.
A serious incident involving a suspected sexual assault against a child has occurred at the Migration Agency's return center in Märsta, near Stockholm, last week. The incident has led to significant distress for the family involved, according to the child's legal representative, who noted that they are 'feeling very unwell' after the event. The police intervened after a report of a severe crime that took place in a common area of the facility, leading to the hospitalization of one individual.
The governing authorities, including the Migration Agency and law enforcement, have been largely silent regarding the details of the investigation. However, documents obtained by Dagens Nyheter indicate that a child is indeed believed to have been subjected to serious sexual assault at the center, which has raised serious security and protection concerns. Save the Children has activated its crisis support services at the center, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and responsiveness to such risks in facilities intended for vulnerable populations.
The situation highlights the fragile safety conditions within asylum centers and has sparked a broader discussion about the responsibilities of authorities to ensure the protection of children. With ongoing scrutiny from organizations like Save the Children, there is increasing pressure on the relevant bodies to address existing security issues and implement effective protective measures to safeguard residents, particularly children, in such facilities.
