BRIS Report 2010

The BRIS Report 2010

Let the children speak! And take them seriously!
About contacts with authorities, school, mental illness and boys 2010

The BRIS-mail,
The BRIS-chat,
Foras
The BRIS-mail provides
BRIS Adult Helpline personal answers within
– about Children a few days.
The BRIS-Chat provides
The Children’s Helpline Monday to Friday: real time 1-to-1-chat.
– BRIS 116 111 10:00 am – 1:00 pm In the Discussion Forum,
– for those up to age 18. which is also on BRIS.
077-150 50 50 se, children and young
Monday to Friday: people can communi-
3:00 pM – 9:00 pM cate with each other
Saturday, Sunday and holidayS: under the oversight of
3:00 pM – 6:00 pM an adult moderator.

116 111 www.bris.se

BRIS´ Offices
BRIS
Karlavägen 121
BRIS – Children’s Rights in Society – is an NGO, a voluntary
organisation with no party political or religious affiliation,
which supports children and young people in distress and is a link bet-
SE-115 26 Stockholm
Tel: +46 (0)8-598 888 00 ween children, adults and the community. The core of BRIS’ activities
Fax: +46 (0)8-598 888 01 is comprised of the Children’s Helpline – BRIS 116 111, the BRIS-mail
E-mail: info@BRIS.se
and the BRIS-chat, to which children and young people up to the age
BRIS region Nord of 18 can turn anonymously and free-of-charge when they need sup-
(Northern Region)
Kungsgatan 36 port from an adult. BRIS also works as an opinion maker and referral
SE-903 25 Umeå organisation to increase adults’ respect for children as individuals. BRIS
Tel: +46 (0)90-203 65 10
Fax: +46 (0)90-203 65 11 works for the full application of the principles established in the UN
E-mail: BRIS.nord@BRIS.se Convention of the Rights of the Child. BRIS uses its collective know-
BRIS region Väst ledge of the situation of children and young people to inform, influence
(Western Region) and create opinion in children’s rights issues at various levels. BRIS also
Hvitfeldtsgatan 14
SE-411 20 Göteborg accepts calls from adults who need someone to talk to about their own
Tel: +46 (0)31-750 11 30 or other’s children.
Fax: +46 (0)31-750 11 31
E-mail: BRIS.vast@BRIS.se bris was founded in 1971 and is organised as one national and five re-
BRIS region Mitt gional associations. Offices are located in Malmö, Göteborg, Norrköping,
(Central Region) Stockholm and Umeå. BRIS’ activities are based on volunteer work and
Karlavägen 121
SE-115 26 Stockholm financial grants and donations from both private and public donors. BRIS
tEl: +46 (0)8-598 888 10 has a total of over 600 volunteer workers who man the Children’s Helpline
Fax: +46 (0)8-598 888 11
E-mail: BRIS.mitt@BRIS.se – BRIS 116 111, the BRIS-mail and the BRIS-chat. These volunteers are
recruited, trained and supervised by employed BRIS personnel. The BRIS
BRIS region Syd
(Southern Region) Adult Helpline – about Children is usually manned by employed BRIS
Östra Rönneholmsv. 7 representatives and costs as much as a regular phone call.
SE-211 47 Malmö
Tel: +46 (0)40-690 80 70
Fax: +46 (0)40-690 80 71
E-mail: BRIS.syd@BRIS.se

BRIS region Öst
(Eastern Region)
Korsgatan 2, Hus E
SE-602 33 Norrköping
Postal address: BRIS
SE-601 86 Norrköping
Tel: +46 (0)11-440 05 50
Fax: +46 (0)11-440 05 51
E-mail: BRIS.ost@BRIS.se

The BRIS Report 2010 2


BRIS believes
that the lack
of knowledge
is often greater than
the lack of resources.
There are also
tendencies to apply
resources to a child’s
case only when things
have gone so far that
the individual is a
threat to society and
him or herself.

illuStration liSa j karlSSon

This BRIS-report is not a
translation of the entire Swedish
report. With regard to this year’s

4 Let the children
speak!

21 Not being good
enough as one is

themes and the expected
readers, we have chosen
to translate main articles

7 Summary
statistics 2009.

24 Reflecting boys
seek concrete
advice

14
concerning contacts with Insecurity

26
authorities, school, mental the worst BRIS is needed!
illness and boys.

17 Truancy

28 116 111

19 Ignorance makes
bullying worse

Publisher BRIS, Barnens Rätt I Samhället Text Maja Aase, Åsa Lekberg, Cecilia Nauclér,
(Children’s Rights In Society Pernilla Rönnlid and Åsa Wallentin
Address BRIS-tidningen, Karlavägen 121, English translation Semantix
SE-115 26 Stockholm, Sweden Photo Johan Bergling, Johan Gunséus, Martin
www.bris.se
Editorial committee Magntorn, Anna Rehnberg and Stina Svanberg
PG 901504-1 Cecilia Nauclér, Jenny Ingårda, Peter Illustrations Thomas Fröhling, Lisa J Karlsson,
Irgens, Karin Johansson, My Zinderland, Yusuke Nagano and Lena Sjöberg/Söderberg
Eva Stenelund and Eva Waltré Agentur
Editor Cecilia Nauclér/Peter Irgens Responsible editor Göran Harnesk, Secretary
Ad Helena Lunding/Kristina Schollin-Borg General, BRIS



Not only do children have the right to express themselves (under
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), it is
also a prerequisite for children’s development and mental health.
Unfortunately, many adults lack the ability to see and interact
with children, especially vulnerable children, and the lack of
knowledge is often greater than the lack of resources.

Let the
children take them
speak! seriously!
And

briS liStEnS to tens of thousands of children every Bullying is something that children themsel-
year. And here, I mean really listens. BRIS never in- ves ask BRIS to push as an issue. In a web survey
terviews the children who contact us, but rather our conducted in late autumn 2009, we asked child-
aim and objective is for each individual child to con- ren what issue they thought BRIS should emp-
trol the contact with us him or herself. They say what hasize for the 2010 election and the single most
they need to talk about, or get help with, right then. common answer was “school” and “issues of bul-
Why do we do so? Why does BRIS not control lying”. BRIS takes the children seriously and we
the contact with the child and conduct an inter- will emphasize issues concerning bullying and
view? Why do we let them talk, e-mail or chat other issues during the 2010 election year.
about anything? One consequence of not being seen or listened
Because all children need to be met and listened to in school is that the child quits going to school.
to based on their own individual needs. Only then BRIS encounters children who have not been in
can trust be built, and only then will the child also school for several months, sometimes longer.
dare to ultimately talk about what is really difficult These are vulnerable children, whose already
and troubling. Consequently, BRIS can find out low self-esteem has been further degraded by the
about the child’s real situation, and only then can adults not acting and taking them seriously, with
we also provide help and support. serious implications for the child.
A child who is not permitted to speak his or We meet children who are seeking our help
her mind will become dependent and silent in because they were unable to get help from the ca-
the long term. His or her capacity to contribute ring and protecting bodies of society. Nor have
to society will be strongly diminished. Not liste- they been listened to or taken seriously. We also
ning is the same as repressing and violating and encounter children who, for various reasons, have
is a way of saying to the child that what he or she been put into placement by society and contact us
feels and is trying to communicate has no value. because they do not have a single adult to talk to.
Every child placed in care can be seen as a
Consequences failure on the part of society, but the child’s best
Every day, BRIS sees examples of children not interests must always be the first priority and in
being allowed to express themselves. We meet, the placement of a child, the adults must have the
for example, children who are subjected to seri- expertise to understand the child’s situation and
ous bullying in school, but are not taken seriously the child’s individual needs. Every placed child
when they try to get help from school staff. Not should consequently have individual contact
being heard when he or she is subjected to serious with a dedicated professional adult who listens
insult exacerbates the child’s victimisation. and safeguards the child’s needs and can esta-



Foto johan bergling

photo johan bergling
”BRIS demands greater expertise in the needs and development of

List of demands
children, especially vulnerable children, among all those who interact
with children,” says Göran Harnesk.

BRIS Report 2010
blish the trust that the child needs.
BRIS also sees a negative impact on children’s LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IS GREATER
mental health when they cannot express them- THAN LACK OF RESOURCES
selves. Children who are doing poorly mentally,
do not like to talk about it, which makes the • BRIS demands that the social services
problem fundamentally difficult to manage. If and child health centres have specialist
the child is still not listened to, it is not uncom- expertise to meet vulnerable children.
mon for him or her to also become the bearer of BRIS also demands that all professional groups
a negative secret and the child’s mental health that work with children receive training in child
worsens, without anyone being aware of it. development and in seeing and meeting children.
Receiving support early on is extremely im-
portant in cases of mental illness, and a prerequisite • BRIS demands the right of all children to
for this is that the children dare to say how they are individual discussions with caring and
doing. The children must be allowed to speak! protective bodies such as the social
In our contacts with children and young pe- services and child and adolescent
ople, we can see that many adults lack knowledge psychiatric services.
about children’s needs and child development, Today, it happens far too often that victimised
even though they meet children every day. Far children are given discussions with caring and
too often, children tell us about adults who have protective bodies in the presence of their guardians,
not dared to listen or have not taken what the which means that the children do not dare say
child says seriously. what they have been subjected to.
BRIS believes that the lack of knowledge is
often greater than the lack of resources. There are • BRIS demands that all schools use
also tendencies to apply resources to a child’s case evidence-based anti-bullying methods.
only when things have gone so far that the indi- Many of the anti-bullying methods used in schools
vidual is a threat to society and him or herself. today lack evaluation and the effects of them are conse-
More knowledge is needed among everyone who quently uncertain. Since bullying results in serious,
meets children in terms of recognising early signs long-term implications for the person subjected to
that the child is not doing well. These adults also it, schools must effectively and pro-actively combat
need knowledge in interacting with children for bullying with evidence-based methods.
the child to dare to ask for help if he or she is
having a difficult time.


statistics

Summary

statistics
illuStrationS Thomas Fröhling,
Lena Sjöberg/Söderberg Agentur
2009

In 2009, BRIS had 21,611 supportive
contacts with children and young
people, including calls to the Children’s
Helpline, e-mails to the BRIS-mail and
chat sessions on the BRIS-chat.


statistics

Number of contacts
Total number of contacts

2009 2008 2007
Supportive 21,611 21,848 21,401
Other 56,436 59,298 80,133
Total 78,047 81,146 101,534

Supportive contacts by channel
Children’s Helpline
1,838 No BRIS-mail
8.50%
BRIS-chat
7,440 No 12,333 No
34.40% 57.10%

Total number of supportive contacts 21.611

Supportive child contacts 2000-2009
Year Children’s BRIS- BRIS- Total
Helpline mail chat number
2000 17,431 608 18,039
2001 17,150 2,208 19,358
2002 18,348 4,675 23,023
2003 16,008 6,036 22,044
2004 14,450 7,683 22,133
2005 10,778 8,459 19,237
2006 11,588 9,685 21,273
2007 11,551 9,797 53 21,401
2008 13,014 8,029 805 21,848
2009 12,333 7,440 1,838 21,611

Various channels Availability
The largest change in BRIS’ suppor- During the year, 601,916 attempts were
tive channels is that the BRIS-chat expe- made to call the Children’s Helpline, an
rienced explosive growth during the year. increase of 5.7 percent compared with the
The number of contacts more than dou- year before. Of the attempts made, 87
bled, from 805 chat sessions in 2008 to percent or 524,725 attempts were made
1,838 chat sessions in 2009. One reason for during the opening hours of the Children’s
this may be that the opening hours for the Helpline.
BRIS-chat were extended during the year, The number of supportive calls on the
and as a result, more children were able to Children’s Helpline decreased somewhat
contact BRIS through the BRIS-chat. compared with 2008. One reason for this
decrease may be that the average time spent
in each call was somewhat longer in 2009
than previous years.
BRIS has the goal that a child should
not have to wait more than 3-4 days for
a response e-mail from BRIS. In 2008, it
took an average of 57 hours for a child to
receive a response. However, this time de-
creased during 2009 when the average wait
was 51 hours.


statistics

Most common contact topics

THE 20 MOST COMMON CONTACT TOPICS

2009 2008

TOPIC No. % of % of total No. % of % of total
topics no. of topics no. of
noted contacts noted contacts
Friends 5,984 8.8% 27.7% 4,981 8.0% 22.8%
Fear/anxiety 5,243 7.7% 24.3% 4,424 7.1% 20.2%
School 4,931 7.2% 22.8% 3,540 5.7% 16.2%
Family conflicts 3,983 5.9% 18.4% 4,146 6.7% 19.0%
Love 3,476 5.1% 16.1% 3,397 5.5% 15.5%
Loneliness 3,444 5.1% 15.9% 3,168 5.1% 14.5%
Bullying 3,051 4.5% 14.1% 3,008 4.9% 13.8%
Other mental illness 2,112 3.1% 9.8% 2,038 3.3% 9.3%
Identity development 2,058 3.0% 9.5% 1,826 3.0% 8.4%
Sorrow 1,998 2.9% 9.2% 1,977 3.2% 9.0%
Sex 1,940 2.9% 9.0% 1,736 2.8% 7.9%
Physical abuse 1,897 2.8% 8.8% 1,857 3.0% 8.5%
Living arrangements 1,890 2.8% 8.7% 1,611 2.6% 7.4%
Existential/life issues 1,834 2.7% 8.5% 2,010 3.2% 9.2%
Body/appearance 1,828 2.7% 8.5% 1,584 2.6% 7.3%
Leisure time 1,631 2.4% 7.5% 1,084 1.8% 5.0%
2009 2008
Sexual abuse/molestation 1,571 2.3% 7.3% 1,423 2.3% 6.5%
Total number topics 68,050 61,894
Stress 1,531 2.2% 7.1% 1,293 2.1% 5.9% noted
Suicide/thoughts of suicide 1,515 2.2% 7.0% 1,798 2.9% 8.2% Total number of 21,611 21,848
Divorced parents 1,499 2.2% 6.9% 1,464 2.4% 6.7% contacts

Most common contact topics ted is divided by the total number of topics Increases and decreases
Every time BRIS has a supportive phone noted, which for 2009 is 68,050. In a table – contact topics
call, e-mail or chat session, it is registered that shows the proportions that each topic The distribution of contact topics in 2009
as a supportive contact in BRIS’ database. comprised of the total number of noted to- is somewhat similar to that for 2008, but
After each contact, the volunteer invol- pics, the total of these proportions will be the figures changed some for some topics.
ved documents what different topics were 100 percent. The contact topics that increased the
covered in the contact. A call, an e-mail 2. The second answers the following most in 2009 are “friends” and “fear/anx-
or a chat session rarely concerns only one question: “What proportion of BRIS’ sup- iety”, as well as “school”.
topic. On average, each contact covers th- portive contacts concerned this topic in par- Friends increased from 4,981 contacts
ree topics. ticular?” in 2008 to 5,984 contacts in 2009.
For example, if a child calls BRIS and The answer to this question indicates Fear/anxiety increased from 4,424 con-
says that he or she is nervous about his/her how many of BRIS’ supportive contacts tacts to 5,243 contacts in 2009.
marks in school, the call is registered as a were about this specific topic. To arrive School increased from 3,540 contacts to
contact concerning two topics: school and at this figure, the number of times a cer- 4,931 contacts in 2009.
fear/anxiety. tain topic was noted is divided by the total “Stress” is a less frequent contact topic,
As a result of this, the statistics on the con- number of supportive contacts, which for which however increased sharply in 2009,
tact topics can be read in two different ways: 2009 is 21,611. from 1,293 contacts in 2008 to 1,531 con-
1. The first answers the following ques- In a table that shows the proportions of tacts.
tion: “What proportion of the topics noted BRIS’ supportive contacts that concerned An area that decreased is “suicide/
was about this topic in particular?” each topic, the sum of these proportions thoughts of suicide”, which went from
The answer to this question indicates will be more than 100 percent because 1,798 contacts in 2008 to 1,515 in 2009.
how many of the topics noted were about each individual supportive contact can co- The topic “existential and life issues” also
this specific topic. To arrive at this figure, ver several different topics. decreased, from 2,010 contacts in 2008 to
the number of times a certain topic was no- 1,834 contacts in 2009.


statistics

Gender & Age
Gender distribution 10 most common topics for boys
Gender of No % Average age Topic No. of boys % of topics % of total no. of
the child
14.4 noted for boys contacts w/boys
Girl 16,902 78.8%
School 1,170 8.70% 25.8%
Boy 4,536 21.2%
Average age/gender Friends 1,149 8.50% 25.3%
Number of contacts where the child’s
Bullying 963 7.10% 21.2%
gender was apparent 21.438 Gender Average age
Fear/anxiety 861 6.40% 19.0%
Girl 14.5
Loneliness 704 5.20% 15.5%
Boy 14.2
Love 682 5.10% 15.0%
Family conflicts 590 4.40% 13.0%
Sex 583 4.30% 12.9%
Leisure time 535 4.00% 11.8%
Physical abuse 485 3.60% 10.7%
Number of contact topics noted for boys 13,469
Number of boys who contacted BRIS 4,536

10 most common topics for girls

Topic No. of girls % of topics % of total no. of
noted for girls contacts w/girls
Friends 4,797 8.9% 28.4%
Fear/anxiety 4,338 8.0% 25.7%
School 3,722 6.9% 22.0%
Family conflicts 3,369 6.2% 19.9%
Love 2,788 5.2% 16.5%
Loneliness 2,710 5.0% 16.0%
Bullying 2,042 3.8% 12.1%
Other mental illness 1,857 3.4% 11.0%
Sorrow 1,676 3.1% 9.9%
Identity development 1,609 3.0% 9.5%
Number of contact topics noted for girls 54,060
Number of girls who contacted BRIS 16,902

Gender and age Gender distribution - Contact topics
Girls are in the majority in contacting Contacts about girls most often concern
BRIS, and this difference between boys friends, fear/anxiety and school. In cont-
and girls has grown since 2008. In 2009, rast to contacts about boys, it is relatively
the girls accounted for 80 percent of the common, however, that contacts about
contacts with BRIS and the boys for 20 girls concern sorrow and other mental ill-
percent. ness.
The average age increased marginally in Contacts about boys most often con-
2009, from 14.3 in 2008 to 14.4 in 2009. cern school, friends and bullying. The
From the 2009 figures, it can also be noted topics sex and leisure time are examples
that the difference between boys and girls of topics where the proportion of boys is
is somewhat small with regard to average relatively high compared with the propor-
age, where the average for the girls was 14.2 tion of girls.
years and for boys it was 14.5.


statistics

Living arrangements & topics
10 most common topics – Divorce (Living w/ lone mother, 12 most common topics – Children in placement
lone father, both parents alternately or in stepfamily)
Topic No % of Comparison: % of Comparison: Topic No % of topics Comparison: % of no. of Comparison:
topics % of topics no. of % of no. of noted – % of topics contacts – % of no. of
noted – noted – total contacts contacts – Children in noted – total Children in contacts –
Divorce – Divorce total placement placement total
Family conflicts 1,332 8.8% 5.9% 36.2% 18.4%
Divorced parents 1,216 8.0% 2.2% 33.1% 6.9% Living arrangements 242 9.1% 2.8% 43.2% 8.7%

Fear/anxiety 1,050 6.9% 7.7% 28.6% 24.3% Fear/anxiety 191 7.2% 7.7% 34.1% 24.3%

Loneliness 875 5.8% 5.1% 23.8% 15.9% Family conflicts 161 6.1% 5.9% 28.8% 18.4%

Living 850 5.6% 2.8% 23.1% 8.7% Loneliness 156 5.9% 5.1% 27.9% 15.9%
arrangements Contacts with 139 5.2% 1.7% 24.8% 5.3%
Friends 845 5.6% 8.8% 23.0% 27.7% authorities

School 843 5.5% 7.2% 22.9% 22.8% Other mental illness 106 4.0% 3.1% 18.9% 9.8%

Physical abuse 596 3.9% 2.8% 16.2% 8.8% Sexual abuse/ 105 4.0% 2.3% 18.8% 7.3%
molestation
Sorrow 527 3.5% 2.9% 14.3% 9.2%
Physical abuse 104 3.9% 2.8% 18.6% 8.8%
Bullying 444 2.9% 4.5% 12.1% 14.1%
School 104 3.9% 7.2% 18.6% 22.8%
Total number of topics noted in divorce 15,204 Friends 102 3.8% 8.8% 18.2% 27.7%
Total number of contacts in divorce 3,677
Self-destructiveness 97 3.7% 2.0% 17.3% 6.3%
Total number of topics noted 68,050 Suicide/thoughts 94 3.5% 2.2% 16.8% 7.0%
Total number of contacts 21,611 of suicide

Total number of topics noted for children in placement (where it has come forth that the
child lives in a foster home, at a treatment centre or the like) 2,650

Total number of contacts for children in placement 560

Living arrangements Topics – Divorce Topics – Children in placement
Since the discussion method BRIS uses Family conflicts comprise the most com- If a contact concerns a child who lives in a
in the contacts with children means that mon topic involving children who live with foster home, treatment centre or the like,
what the child says is the main focus, the a lone mother, with a lone father, with both the contact is most often about the child’s
child is not asked any questions about his parents alternately or in a stepfamily. Di- living arrangements. Family conflicts are
or her living situation. This means that in vorced parents are also a common topic in also common in this group, as are issues
many cases, just over half of all contacts, these contacts, as are fear/anxiety and lo- concerning fear/anxiety. A large propor-
the child’s living situation does not come neliness. The fact that 596 contacts about tion of contacts concerning children in
forth. This makes it difficult to comment children from these kinds of living arrang- placement are also about contacts with
on the distribution with regard to the li- ements were about physical abuse is also authorities and sexual abuse/molestation.
ving situation of the children who contact worth noting. Contacts about self-destructiveness and
BRIS. suicide or thoughts of suicide are also re-
However, one of the factors that is ap- latively common where children in place-
parent in BRIS’ documentation is which ment are concerned.
topics children with a certain living situa-
tion contact BRIS about.


statistics

10 most common topics – Nuclear family 10 most common topics – Living on one’s own
Topic No. % of topics Comparison: % of no. of Comparison: Topic No. % of topics Comparison: % of no. of Comparison:
noted – % of topics contacts % of no. of noted – % of topics contacts % of no. of
Nuclear noted – total – Nuclear contacts – Living on noted – total – Living on contacts –
family family total one’s own one’s own total
Family conflicts 1,498 8.9% 5.9% 30.3% 18.4% Fear/anxiety 128 8.4% 7.7% 35.0% 24.3%
Friends 1,338 8.0% 8.8% 27.0% 27.7% Loneliness 120 7.9% 5.1% 32.8% 15.9%
Fear/anxiety 1,333 8.0% 7.7% 26.9% 24.3% Pregnancy 80 5.3% 1.0% 21.9% 3.1%
School 1,297 7.7% 7.2% 26.2% 22.8% Living arrang- 73 4.8% 2.8% 19.9% 8.7%
Loneliness 920 5.5% 5.1% 18.6% 15.9% ements
Bullying 872 5.2% 4.5% 17.6% 14.1% Sexual abuse/ 73 4.8% 2.3% 19.9% 7.3%
molestation
Physical abuse 657 3.9% 2.8% 13.3% 8.8%
School 71 4.7% 7.2% 19.4% 22.8%
Love 542 3.2% 5.1% 10.9% 16.1%
Other mental illness 69 4.5% 3.1% 18.9% 9.8%
Sorrow 513 3.1% 2.9% 10.4% 9.2%
Existential/life issues 69 4.5% 2.7% 18.9% 8.5%
Leisure time 479 2.9% 2.4% 9.7% 7.5%
Family conflicts 62 4.1% 5.9% 16.9% 18.4%
Total number of topics noted in nuclear family (where it has come forth that the child
Friends 60 4.0% 8.8% 16.4% 27.7%
lives in a nuclear family) 16,761
TTotal number of topics noted in living on one’s own (where it has come
Total number of contacts in nuclear family 4,952 forth that the child lives on his/her own) 1,518

Total number of contacts in living on one’s own 366

Topics – Nuclear family Topics – Living on one’s own
Of all contacts where the child’s living si- BRIS is for all children up to and inclu-
tuation has been documented, it is most ding the age of 18, and among these child-
common that the child lives in a nuclear fa- ren, there are many who have moved to a
mily. As a result of this, there are somewhat place of their own. In the contacts about
large similarities between the frequency of children who have this particular living
various topics concerning children from situation, contacts about fear/anxiety and
nuclear families and the frequency for loneliness are the most common. It is also
BRIS’ total number of supportive contacts worth noting that contacts about children
with children. However, one deviation is living on their own often concern pregnan-
that family conflicts comprise the most cy, housing and sexual abuse/molestation.
common topic of contacts about children
from nuclear families.


statistics

Discussion Forum

10 most common categories on the
Discussion Forum

Total number of submissions Category No %
to the Discussion Forum Love 7,114 24,4%
29,178 Being young 5,478 18.8%
Emotions 4,279 14.7%
Discussion Forum by gender
The Family 2,729 9.4%
No % Violence and abuse 2,524 8.7%
Girl 26,565 91.3% Friends 2,267 7.8%
Boy 2,544 8.7% What makes you happy? 1,706 5.8%
Number of submissions where the child’s gender School 1,684 5.8%
is apparent 29,109 Bullying 1,313 4.5%
Punishment in school 84 0.3%
Approved submissions
Total number of submissions 29,178
No
Approved 26,814
Other 2,364

Other submissions include the submissions refused or deleted

Discussion Forum things with each other, but in contrast to
The steady increase in the number of pu- the BRIS-mail and the BRIS-chat where
blished submissions to the BRIS Discus- the child can write about whatever he or
sion Forum that has continued since the she chooses, it is BRIS that decides what
forum was launched appears to have shif- categories the children can make submis-
ted to a stabilisation in 2009. In 2009, sions on in the Discussion Forum.
there were 26,814 published submissions, The three categories where the most
which is a small decrease from 2008 when submissions were made in 2009 were
27,245 submissions were published. “Love” with more than 7,000 submissions,
Looking at the gender distribution on “Being young” with nearly 5,500 sub-
the Discussion Forum, one can note that missions, and “Feelings” with more than
the proportion of girls is even larger here 4,200 submissions. This means that more
than it is for the number of contacts by than half of all submissions were made in
phone, e-mail and chat. A whole 91 percent one of these three categories.
of the submissions sent to the forum were The remaining submissions were made
sent by girls, while the boys accounted for in a total of eight categories, including
9 percent of the submissions. “The Family”, “Violence and abuse” and
In the Discussion Forum at bris.se, “Friends”.
children and young people can discuss


statistics
contacts with authorities

Insecurity tExt
photo
Maja Aase
Martin Magntorn

the worst


The children’s quotations
from the support services
in this report are authentic,
but certain information has
been altered to secure that
no child could be identified.

Many children who contact BRIS are very dissatisfied with the “What do social services do?
What do social services actu-
social services and Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services. ally do?”
”They talk about their innermost feelings, but do not get the help E-mail from a 16-year-old girl

they need and feel abandoned,” says Helén Malmberg, BRIS “Who can you talk with about
Representative, BRIS South in Malmö. “And children who have how you really feel? Without
your parents having to find
been put in placement by society say that they have seldom been out? Can’t you just be allowed
to talk, that’s what I need!”
told of the reason for their placement.” Girl, age 14

“i really don’t want to go to
social services about this!
i don’t want someone that
doesn’t take me seriously to
find out about my problems

F or thiS yEar’S bris Report, Helén
Malmberg conducted an in-depth
review of documented contacts bris had
discussion sessions, but say they only get
medication. What the children want is to
talk, that talking will be the healing part.
at home...”
E-mail from a 13-year-old girl

“Is there anyone in this country
with children and young people in the that is bound by confidentia-
past year. She reviewed what the children Children in placement find it dif- lity? Every time I’m going to go
say by e-mail, chat and on the Discussion ficult to influence matters and talk with somebody, they
always start by saying: we’re
Forum about their contacts with authori- Children who get in touch with BRIS and bound by confidentiality and
ties, including the social services and bup, who in various ways are subject to inter- this stays between us. Which
the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Ser- vention under the Care of Young Persons makes me feel safe. But at
the end of the talk, they say:
vices. (Special Provisions) Act (LVU) say that we have to take this further
“The children rarely contact us when they have very little influence over their si- to your parents or something
things are good. Instead, they contact tuation. They are not aware of what rights similar... I hardly dare talk with
an adult now... because of all
us when they have problems. This is im- they have. They call BRIS and ask about this, because when I was little
portant to remember. But what comes basic information, such as why a certain I talked to somebody from
forth is a negative image of the authorities decision has been made or how a review child psychiatry services, and
I trusted them, until I found out
– the children feel abandoned,” she says. can work. that my dad knew everything
Children are mainly disappointed by “Those who are affected the most know and he was not happy... since
adults not acting. A 14-year-old girl wri- the least,” says Helén Malmberg. then I haven’t dared talk with
anyone, or trust any adults,
tes in a submission to the bris Discussion Some children also do not want to con- the only thing I’ve said to
Forum: “I’ve been abused ever since I was tinue living with their family. They do not adults is hi, bye.”
6 and have reported it, but no one has done feel protected after having told of physical E-mail from a 15-year-old girl
anything. Have talked to social services and and sexual abuse. They want and hope to
“don’t tell me to go to social
nobody cares. Help!!” be able to move somewhere else, perhaps services again, i’ve heard that
“What they want above all is to be liste- to a foster home. before and also been there
ned to,” says Helén Malmberg. “But when Many children contact BRIS to tell but i’ll never do that again.
Nothing ever happens there
time passes and nothing happens, they about their experiences and feelings. and you end up dealing with it
feel that they cannot get help from social Some want BRIS to contact the authori- yourself”
services. This leads to them falling silent ties, such as social services or Child and Chat session with a 15-year-old boy

and resigning themselves to their situa- Adolescent Psychiatric Services; a decision
“Nobody took it seriously.....
tion, which may have become even worse.” that should be carefully thought through, I’ve been abused ever since I
In the contact with Child and Adoles- according to Helén Malmberg. The child- was 6 and have reported it but
cent Psychiatry Services, some children ren must abandon their anonymity and no one has done anything,
have talked to social services
are afraid that nobody will understand provide their identity when BRIS takes and nobody cares help!!!”
how they feel. The children want more on such an assignment. Girl, age 14



“We cannot, after all, decide what services, things will get even worse for you.”
social services will do, but we can defi- “One cannot forget that Child and
nitely explain our perspective and speak Adolescent Psychiatric Services, for in-
on behalf of the child. The contact bet- stance, are obliged to forward the infor-
ween BRIS and the child continues until mation on in some cases. If a child is in
the child feels that he or she has received distress or if there is a risk that the child
the help and support needed.” hurts him or herself, Psychiatric Services
must file a report with social services.”
On the BRIS Discussion Forum,
Children talk about trust the children often help each other and
According to Helén Malmberg, inse- provide support and advice. Someone
curity in the contact with authorities is writes a main submission and others
the worst factor for answer. For example,
the children. A child, a 16-year-old boy
who has contacted an One cannot advises a teenage
authority and wants forget that girl who is abused at
to talk about his or Child and Adolescent home to move: “I mo-
her problems, does so ved from my old man
in trust. This is often Psychiatric Services, and things are a lot
a large step for the for instance, are easier now.”
Topic No % of total no. % of total
of topics noted no. of
child to take and the obliged to forward Helén Malmberg
contacts child might not want the information on is pleased that the
Contacts with 1,143 1.7% 5.3% his or her parents to children encourage
find out what he or in some cases.
authorities
each other not to give
Total number of topics noted 68,050 she said. The child up, to contact social
Total number of contacts 21,611
may have revealed the family’s secret to services again and again, and not to lose
Contacts with authorities a school counsellor or social services, hope: it is possible to change one’s life.
2005-2009 and feel that he or she has been promised “Seeing the exchange between them
Year No both help and confidentiality. But sud- is a true pleasure. Our children and
2005 279 denly, the parents nonetheless know what young people have incredible resources.
2006 306
the child said. The mother and father of- They are amazingly wise.”
2007 459
ten disapprove of the disclosure and can – Det är en ren glädje att se utbytet
2008 834
2009 1,143
then become even more aggressive and dem emellan. Det finns oerhört stora re-
threaten the child: “If you don’t say that surser hos våra barn och ungdomar. De
Contacts with authorities by gender everything is fine next time you talk to social är fantastiskt kloka.
Barnets kön No. of contacts Proportion of
contacts
Girl 943 83.2%
Boy 190 16.8%

Number of contacts about Contacts with authorities where
the child’s gender was apparent 1,133

Average age Average age for
– Contacts with contacts about
authorities Contacts with
Girl 14.8 authorities
Boy 13.2 14.5

THEME – CONTACTS WITH AUTHORITIES
Of the 1,143 contacts that concerned
contacts with authorities, nearly
12 percent were also about living
arrangements. A nearly equal
proportion, just over 11 percent, was
also about legal issues.
It is also worth noting that slightly
more than 8 percent of the contacts
about contacts with authorities also
concerned neglect and just over 7
percent were about physical abuse.


school

Long-term absenteeism from school
is often due to a valid reason. Many
children contact BRIS regarding long-
term absenteeism and it is more often
a question of them wanting to go to
school, but being unable to.
tExt Åsa Lekberg
photo Anna Rehnberg

Truancy
“School anxiety. Oh, I can’t
take it anymore! Now it’s
almost been a year and a
half that I’ve struggled to go
to school, with a lump in my
throat all day long. Did my
best, never good enough,
never satisfied, can’t do
better, have to do better,
oh I’m losing it, no have to
struggle on, can’t give up,
no it’s impossible, I can’t,
yeah I have to, I can’t cope
anymore, oh how much of

i
a failure can you be! Finally,
havE bEEn Struck by how tough many feel that Several causes of truancy you can’t cope anymore,
it is to go into the school building. Depression Problems of bullying may also be the underly- no matter how much you
and long-term absenteeism from school are rela- ing cause for children to skip school and many want to. Yeah, I WANT to be
motivated to study, happy,
ted,” says Maria Cederlund, BRIS Representa- express a lack of belief in the future, goals and smart, for life to go well. Of
tive at BRIS West. a sense of meaning with their lives, which leads course I do. Of course I want
Children who skip individual lessons to ins- them to opt to stay home. Days turn into weeks to want to go to school and
learn. Of course I do. But I
tead do something fun with friends rarely con- and weeks turn into months. Absence from can’t.”
tact BRIS. However, children who want to go school makes them feel even worse. Pretty soon, Girl, age 14, the BRIS-mail
to school, but cannot because they feel so bad it is almost impossible to go back.
contact BRIS, by phone, chat or e-mail. Maria For the children, the link between problems “Now it’s been nearly
a month since I went to
Cederlund has summarised these types of con- and truancy is very clear, but this is not always school, I have no idea what
tacts BRIS had during 2009. She believes that the case in the adult world. Adults tend to nag I should do, my parents nag
extended absences from school are a question of or view truancy as an infraction of the rules in- me, school sends letters
home about meetings. It’s
something completely different than staying at stead of asking for an explanation of why the like a huge black cloud that
home to find something more fun to do. children skip school. The children mostly say just gets bigger and bigger.”
Boy, age 16
“These children often isolate themselves that they get told off by adults rather than un-
at home and feel very bad. Common factors derstanding. “I’ve been reported sick
among those who skip school are that many feel “For a teenager, a week can be a long time, and since December. I can’t go
anxiety, depression, self-loathing, headaches, a month can be an eternity. A lot can happen at anywhere without having
stomach problems and
low motivation, dejection and considerable school in that time and constellations of friends anxiety, which is why I’m
worry,” she says. change. Their school is such an important part of at home now and don’t
It is most commonly girls who contact BRIS children’s lives and if things do not work there, go to school or even go
out. Just go for short walks
with regard to long-term absenteeism. The rea- it affects the child’s entire existence.” Ultimately, and practice driving with
son they have begun to skip school is that they do they lose their social contacts and become com- the car sometimes ... Oh I
not feel well for various reasons: they might have pletely isolated, such as in this description by a don’t do anything! I try not
to think that I’m completely
a tough situation at home, feel under pressure or 15-year-old girl: worthless, it’s not my fault
are so depressed that they do not have the energy “I do try, I don’t want it to be like this, it’s re- after all! “
to go to school. ally hard. I’m not stupid, I’m not lazy ... Now, one Girl, age 17, the BRIS-mail


school

For a teenager, a week can be a long
time, and a month can be an eternity.
Ultimately, they lose their social contacts
and become completely isolated,” says
Maria Cederlund, BRIS Representative
at BRIS West.

Number of contacts – School

Topic No % of total % of total might think that I find something fun to do Children who skip school often feel a
no. of topics no. of
noted contacts with friends or something when I stay home, sense of guilt and shame and the possibili-
School 4,931 7.2% 22.8% but nope, I sit at home alone ... it’s not so ty of being anonymous makes the contact
Total number topics noted 68,050 much fun. Feel completely isolated and ex- with BRIS easier. Here, there is always so-
Total number of contacts 21,611 cluded ... missed so much that it’s impossible mebody who can listen, support and instil
School 2005-2009
to catch up.” hope. That they get in touch with BRIS
shows that they want to talk, but do not
Year No
Early intervention is crucial have anyone to talk to. Besides being met
2005 835
2006 1,110
Maria Cederlund believes in early interven- by adults, they can get support from their
2007 1,612 tion in cooperation between the home and peers who share similar experiences and
2008 3,540 the school as well as Child and Adolescent may have found a way out. Maria Ceder-
2009 4,931 Psychiatric Services since long-term absen- lund believes that the children can help
teeism is the result of problems the child each other.
School by gender needs help with. Addressing absenteeism as “In meetings on the Discussion Fo-
Gender of No. of % of early as possible is an important first step in rum, they really support each other. They
the child contacts contacts
preventing it from becoming long term. Be- encourage, spur on and share their own
Girl 3,722 76.1%
Boy 1,170 23.9%
cause once it is long term, a great deal more feelings. The give so much love to each
Antal kontakter om Skolan effort is needed to get the student back into other. They can also be straight forward
där barnets kön framkommit 4 892 school, she explains and continues: and honest in different way than adults
Average age for “One must be sensitive and take the can in their contact with children. Some-
contacts about school Average age for children’s signals seriously and apply mea- times, a peer’s advice is worth more than
Girl 13.2 contacts about school
13.09
sures based on the child’s needs. Many of an adult’s.”
Boy 12.7
those we have been in touch with don’t even However, the most important aspect is
want to be in the school building. In such conveying that there is always a way out
cases, the school should be able to offer and several different ways to come back,
THEME – SCHOOL home schooling so the student can catch up she continues.
Of the 4,931 contacts that were about on what he or she missed. Discussions do “The sad thing is that many of the
school, just over 10 percent were also not necessarily need to take place at school children who have lost contact with
about friends and slightly more than
and could instead be held at home, at a café school feel so bad that they cannot see the
5 percent of the contacts also con-
cerned bullying. In addition, contacts
or somewhere the child feels secure.” possibilities that actually do exist.”
about school can be found in just It may be possible for the child to work
over 6 percent of the cases that also in a small group to be slowly eased back
concern the topic of fear/anxiety. into school.


school

Pushing, insults, being frozen out.
This is the day-to-day for many children
today. And many children who are not
bullied are afraid of being bullied.
tExt Pernilla Rönnlid
photo Johan Bergling

Ignorance makes bullying worse
Hi Bris. I don’t want to live any
more. My life feels comple-
tely hopeless and some days
I just want to die. Other days,
my family cheers me up,
but that’s not often. I don’t
understand why life has to
be so unfair. I am really bul-
lied at school, but no adult
cares! For example, there’s
a guy in the 9th grade (I’m

F
in 7th) that bullies me a lot..
ourtEEn pErcEnt oF the contacts with BRIS ways, the lunchroom or in the changing room. Or there are actually a few.
are about bullying. Children talk the most There is not so much bullying inside the class- I can’t even walk down the
about the insulting words and the feeling of room. But what happens outside the classroom hallway before they start
throwing erasers etc at me!
being an outside affects what happens in the classroom. I’ve never even talked to
“This is the most difficult situation for adults “Those victimised and bullied often fall silent them, I don’t know them. I
to discover and it is the most difficult situation in the classroom. Their concentration is affected can’t even go to the cafe-
teria without them throwing
for the child to feel like he or she is believed and and they do not dare to ask questions and be ac- something at me.. Adults see
understood,” says Elena Luckey, BRIS Represen- tive in class work.” everything, but nobody ca-
tative, who has reviewed in depth what children Elena Luckey is a bit surprised that the gym res. It feels like I’m worthless.
Before, I felt invisible, but
tell BRIS about bullying. and changing room are not mentioned even more now it feels like everyone
Children talk about how they are teased for their in terms of bullying. She believes that it may be looks at me, in a negative
looks, something is either too large or too small, because many children avoid going there at all way and that’s so much
worse. Because I can’t eat
and in the corridors, other students can push, th- because it is too exposed and difficult. in peace in the lunchroom,
row things like rubber erasers and shout whore. The Children who contact BRIS do not have faith I usually go home and eat
bullying can also be more cunning, such as when in the school staff. Most feel that nobody listens something over the lunch
break, but now my parents
classmates leave the table in the lunchroom and say or cares. and family have begun to
they are done when a student sits down to eat. “They aren’t believed. The child’s perceptions get worried, they think I have
More serious physical violence, such as cho- are not taken seriously and the child often feels that friends and stuff. But I don’t.
Before I had a lot of friends,
keholds, kicking and hitting, does not occur as their teacher explains away what is happening. until Christmas 2008. So all
often. All kinds of bullying occur at all ages, but “The child is encouraged to be more social him through upper elementary
freezing someone out and insults are more com- or herself and the adult can ask the child what school and the first term of
year 7. The second term, it
mon among the older children. he or she did and did not do. The adult acts as if all changed. When I come
there was a conflict, which constitutes yet another home, I just want time to go
Tough coping with the day-to-day confirmation that the child is not taken seriously. by! I usually fall asleep. Or
watch a movie on my own.
Many children tell BRIS about how tough it is to What the victimised child says is used against him I can’t live this life, but what
cope with the day-to-day when they are bullied. or her,” says Elena. the hell should I do? I just
“It is hard to find the strength to go to school want to jump in front of the
first train I see.. Just wanted
and know that you will be pushed and shoved or Teachers can make it worse to vent a little, but this is
will have to stand there alone. Even if steps are There are also teachers who talk with the bullies. faaaar from everything! I
being taken against the bullying, they have to The children say that the situation can improve don’t know who I should talk
to. ps.. would really appre-
cope with going to school.” at first, but then gets worse again. When child- ciate a response!
Bullying most often takes place in the hall- ren go back to their teacher and tell them again, Boy, age 13


BRIS Report 2010

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