The Children's Ombudsman has conducted 19 in-depth interviews with girls and boys who grew up with honour-related violence and oppression for its 2026 annual report. The overall picture is that society is failing these children, according to Children's Ombudsman Juno Blom.
"You feel like you don't see their vulnerability, that you don't ask. They need to prove so much before we believe them," the children say consistently.
Do parents believe them
What also recurs is that adults, for example in social services, often choose to listen to and believe the parents instead. Children also say that authorities tell the parents what they have been told, which can lead to even greater vulnerability at home.
"I think it's because people don't understand the seriousness of the situation," Juno Blom says.
Domestic violence, which some describe as ever-present, can be psychological, physical and sexual.
"These are children who have the same rights as everyone else, but are so far from being able to enjoy them. Instead, they are exposed to serious criminality and horrific crimes."
At the same time, there are children who talk about adults who have seen them, listened and acted. "I immediately felt that she was different. She saw me," says one girl.
Not living up to requirements
Juno Blom says Sweden has come a long way in terms of legislation against honour-related violence, but that in reality the requirements are rarely met.
"If authorities only took their responsibility, the reality for children who are subjected to honour-related violence would look completely different. So today's Sweden is not a lawless country, but rather a passive country that does not choose to implement laws."
The Children's Ombudsman makes several suggestions on how the work against honour-related violence and oppression can be improved. Among other things:
Introduce a national model for health discussions in preschools and schools that includes questions about violence and honour-related oppression, child and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation of girls.
Strengthen the responsibility of principals and enable sanctions against preschool and school personnel who violate the school's core values and uphold honour standards.
Give the Swedish Migration Agency the task of ensuring that children are asked about honour-related violence and oppression, child marriage and female genital mutilation during the migration process.
Improve support, protection and redress for children and young people who are or have been exposed to honour-related violence and oppression, including specialist trauma treatment.
Introduce a national school absence register to improve detection of children who have been or are at risk of being abducted.
Source: The Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2026
