The article discusses the alarming rise in the number of children classified as accused in legal cases concerning violence, with a significant increase noted over the past several years. According to recent statistics from the children's ombudsman, the figure rose from 65 in 2015 to 176 last year, prompting concerns about the impact of delays in necessary support services for these children. Sunna Sæmundsdóttir highlights that nearly 2,500 children are waiting for services from the Children's Mental Health Center, with hundreds of others facing long waits for evaluations related to autism and psychological services.

Salvör Nordal, the children's ombudsman, expressed her concern about the implications of these numbers, noting that the extended waiting periods for essential care could be detrimental to the lives of these children. For instance, nearly 800 children are waiting for assessments related to suspected autism, with an average wait time of three years, which is considered excessively long in the context of a child's life. Additionally, approximately 300 children are awaiting psychological services within the primary health care system of the capital area, which further emphasizes the critical issues surrounding timely access to necessary support and interventions.

The growing trend not only raises legal and social questions regarding child welfare but also highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to access to mental health and psychological services for children in Iceland. The data reflects a larger concern about the pressures facing children in society, indicating that without prompt action to address these challenges, the situation may worsen, leading to dire consequences for the affected children.