The proposal means that the Act on Special Provisions concerning the Care of Young People (LVU) will be amended so that negative social control can be grounds for care. It is a new concept being introduced into the legislation.
The law should be clarified, says Court of Appeal President Anders Hagsgård, who led the inquiry.
Pressure, control, threats or coercion that systematically restrict a child's living space can alone constitute grounds for care under LVU, according to the proposal.
With a focus on children growing up in a criminal environment, one also wants to be able to take into account whether there are weapons or drugs in the home.
The risk of the child being drawn into criminality through parents or siblings can also be grounds for intervention, as well as if parents encourage or facilitate destructive behavior.
LVU is a protective legislation for the child, not society. It is the child who should be protected, not society, says Anders Hagsgård.
Social Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (The Moderate Party) believes that the inquiry is central to the government's work to ensure that children and young people living in vulnerable situations receive the protection and support they are entitled to.
Unfortunately, we know that there are far too many children who are faring badly, children who grow up in environments where they are exposed to violence, abuse, neglect or other serious lack of care, she says at a press conference.
The proposals submitted to the government are part of an interim report from the Inquiry on Strengthened Child Rights Perspective.
