The shock, sadness and anger is great in Ljusdal after nine girls were exposed to sexual abuse in two municipal preschools in the municipality.
The municipality’s crisis team is activated, and the affected families have received extensive support.
– It’s a lot to take in for these guardians, says Linnea van Wagenen, who sits on the preparedness group in the municipality.
Between 2018 and 2024, nine girls have been exposed to sexual abuse at two municipal preschools in Ljusdal municipality.
The municipality has gone into staff mode and, among other things, has set up a special support group for those affected.
The children’s guardians have been supported by a personal therapist who has been with them since they learned of the abuse. Among other things, they have gone through the material with them and talked to them about how to talk to your children about sexual abuse.
– They have reacted with everything from anger and aggression to shock and sadness. There were very strong feelings. It’s a lot to take in for these guardians, says Linnea van Wagenen, who sits on the preparedness group in the municipality.
The municipality has also offered help to the perpetrator’s employees who helped identify the children in the photos.,
“Shocking”
Pernilla Färlin (M) is chairman of the municipal board in Ljusdal.
– It is shocking. You are incredibly touched and feel for both children, parents and the staff who have worked with the perpetrator. After all, you should feel safe taking your children to preschool.
What do you want to say to the guardians who feel worried?
– I understand that they are worried and that they have a lot of thoughts. I don’t think you should hesitate to contact us if you need to, we can help.
She assesses that the contact with the victim will be long.
– The trauma can take several years before they show results. We need to have this contact with them going forward so they know we are a support.
“Nothing touches me like this”
Even the municipal director Mikael Björk is shocked by what happened.
– I myself have children who have attended our municipal preschools. It hurts my father’s heart, so I feel very much for those affected. I’ve been through many crises, but nothing that touches me as much as this one. It’s tough for us in Ljusdal municipality today.
– As municipal director, it is of course a trauma that we have to deal with. There are many who are disappointed both with us as a municipality, but of course also with the fact that children can be exposed in a place where they should be safe.
How could this have happened?
– We ask ourselves the same question. The perpetrator has not been convicted and we have made the register withdrawals we are supposed to make. So far, nothing has come up that would cause us to suspect anything, quite the opposite – it has been a person who has been very popular, which means that many of us are in great shock.