A trauma. This is how Ljusdal’s municipal director described the actions that are currently shaking the municipality. Many residents have reacted strongly to the fact that a man, who worked at various preschools in the municipality for twelve years, was able to sexually assault little girls at his workplace.
– It is so surreal that such a thing can happen for real, says Stina Nord, who works as a preschool substitute.
A friend of the man, who wants to remain anonymous, says he didn’t believe it was true at first when he heard about the abuse.
– I feel terrible anger, disappointment.
A woman who is close to the man’s family, who also wishes to remain anonymous, describes how the news has come as a shock:
– The only thing I can say is that it is terribly tragic and nobody thought this about this person.
The nanny’s family has been in contact with the head of the municipal management in Ljusdal, Linnéa Van Wagenen, who conveyed a greeting from them during a press conference on Thursday morning.
– We are devastated by what our relative has done. We are thinking of his victims and want them to know that we are so sorry for what has happened. We also feel betrayed, angry, saddened that someone we thought we knew has done this. We mourn with you all. With that in mind, Van Wagenen says the family has sent greetings.
The nanny’s own words
The suspected perpetrator, who died this summer, graduated from high school with a combined grade document. He was employed as a childminder by Ljusdal municipality in 2012 and has worked at several preschools.
When he applied for a position in the municipality two years ago and sent in his CV, he described himself as follows:
“Challenges in my work are collaborating, being flexible and responsive and I feel these are strengths that I possess. I am usually appreciated by the children as well as colleagues.”
Even in his social media, a picture emerges of him as a social person who liked hockey, spending time with friends and partying.
In his old personal letter he also writes:
“In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and appreciate social interaction. My friends describe me as a social person and I easily get along with others, the cooperation with parents within the framework of the preschool has always worked well!”