It was last spring that “Anna”, whose real name is something else, was abused by four of her former friends. Three of the perpetrators were recently charged with serious assault, but the most active was 14 years old and therefore cannot be prosecuted.
Instead, a so-called LUL31 investigation was carried out, where young offenders are investigated to provide the Social Services with a basis for interventions.
Statistics from the Public Prosecutor’s Office show that criminal suspicions that lead to a LUL31 investigation have increased by 56 percent since 2018 and then 2023 is still not over. It is a serious development, according to both prosecutors and police with whom TV4 Nyheterna has been in contact.
– I find it worrying and worrisome and it’s not a development we want to see at all, says police officer Veronica Johnsson, who is group leader and youth investigator in western Skaraborg.
What do you think the increase is due to?
– I think it is due to many different reasons. Overall, it is a rougher climate. There are a lot of influences from social media. Mental illness to a large extent leading to addiction.
Majority are assault cases
The crimes cover everything from theft to murder and manslaughter, but among the violent crimes, cases of assault account for the absolute majority. When the police finish a LUL31 investigation, Social Services takes over the case.
But in the case of Anna, they were already connected to the 14-year-old perpetrator, and Anna’s mother Sandra is now critical that the abuse of her daughter does not have greater consequences.
– Just because you are 14, you shouldn’t be able to do what you want. You hear among the young people that they say: “I’m only 14 and only need to go to ‘soc’ once a week, then it’s done,” she says.
Do you hear this jargon?
– Yes. They also told my daughter that afterwards, says the mother.
Police officer Veronica Johnsson agrees.
– It is a worrying attitude. After all, the social service is a Swedish authority that has to deal with children under 15 and a conversation or ending up under their aegis should not be something that you take too lightly.
Do we need to have stricter consequences for young offenders?
– It’s a hard question. After all, these are children we are dealing with. I believe much more in making early efforts to avoid ending up where we are now, replies Veronica Johnsson.