New findings by VG show that over the past three years, more than 828 children have left Norway while their families were under child welfare investigation. This means that statistically, one child leaves the country every day in such circumstances (vg.no).
Incomplete statistics and the scale of the problem
The data comes from responses by 161 local barnevernet units. During the examined period, around 120,000 cases concerning children’s family situations were handled. In 3,830 of these cases, investigations ended because the family moved, and nearly 29% of those moves involved leaving the country – amounting to roughly 370 such cases annually (vg.no).
Divisional Director Anders Henriksen from Bufdir (the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs) emphasizes that there are no precise statistics on international moves during investigations. The reasons for emigration vary – from returning to the country of origin, to studies, or new job opportunities – and do not always mean escaping Norwegian authorities (vg.no).
Concerns among barnevernet staff
Nevertheless, as many as 116 barnevernet units reported that in some cases, families moved abroad out of fear of intervention. One employee quoted by VG noted:
“We have reason to believe that quite a few of those who left the country did so in order to avoid contact with barnevernet (the Norwegian child welfare services).”
Kjersti Lindseth, head of the unit in Ullensaker, has had similar experiences. She points out that she has observed this phenomenon for years, and often it stems from fear – which, in her view, is not always justified by the actual actions of the services (vg.no).
International notifications and cooperation
In cases where there is suspicion that a child may be at risk, barnevernet is required to notify the relevant authorities in the destination country. Within just three years, Bufdir sent 511 such notifications – mainly to Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine. Cooperation is carried out under the 1996 Hague Convention, which regulates international child protection (vg.no).
Henriksen stresses that after relocation, the receiving country takes over responsibility for the child’s care. However, it is crucial that information about the family’s situation is shared efficiently and accurately to avoid the risk of neglecting children’s needs (vg.no).
The need for better monitoring
The lack of precise data on the reasons and destinations of these moves makes it difficult to assess how often children actually “disappear” from the support system. Many local units call for more effective monitoring mechanisms, so that authorities can respond quickly in risky situations while at the same time reducing unnecessary fear among families.
Source: VG – Hver dag flytter et barn fra Norge mens familien undersøkes av barnevernet (vg.no)
