Multiple measures proposed to combat violence among children and young people

The City Executive Council approved the steering group's task on July 10. Their work included reviewing the City's survey of its anti-violence programs, creating recommendations for working with those who commit violence against children and young people, and examining whether and how to strengthen partnerships between organizations inside and outside the City to improve services for children and young people who experience violence.

The full report and all recommendations are available in the City Executive Council meeting materials. The materials also include a mapping of the City's anti-violence work and additional resources.

Under the Child Prosperity Act, services for children are delivered at three levels, and the group's recommendations are prioritized within these levels: 1. Prevention and first-level efforts. 2. Response – second-level efforts. 3. Treatment – third-level efforts.

Prevention and first-level efforts

Thirteen of the steering group's recommendations apply to the first level, which covers basic services for children. The recommendations include introducing systematic educational materials about violence for all preschool staff. The group also recommends increasing support for preschool parents by launching the parenting course "Föruneyti barna" (Child Groups). The report also recommends offering various activity programs for young people ages 16-18 who are not in school, work or activity skills training, and ensuring summer activities for 17-year-olds in vulnerable situations.

Response and second-level efforts

Second-level services provide individualized and targeted support. Second-level services are offered when first-level resources aren't enough. Four recommendations focus on response and second-level efforts. The first aims to develop specialized group work for mid-level students in partnership with primary schools, community centers and centers. The second recommendation focuses on expanding resources for children who commit violence. The third recommendation is to create a support team for refugee children with extensive trauma histories, and the fourth is to continue implementing relationship-focused and trauma-informed approaches with children and young people.

Treatment and third-level efforts

Third-level services provide more specialized support than the first two levels. Children receiving services at this level typically have complex, multifaceted challenges and significant care needs. The group's main recommendation calls for responding earlier to risky behavior among young people, since youth challenges have become more complex and serious than before. Cases often develop quickly into serious situations, making it difficult to engage with families and provide comprehensive support. The group therefore stresses the importance of examining whether third-level services need to be expanded to meet these growing challenges.

Recommendations referred to appropriate departments

Sabine Leskopf from the Social Democratic Alliance chaired the steering group, which also included Ásta Þórdís Skjalddal Guðjónsdóttir from the Socialist Party and Einar Þorsteinsson from the Progressive Party. The group's staff member was Guðrún Halla Jónsdóttir, Reykjavík City's prevention officer.

The City Executive Council approved referring the steering group's recommendations to the School & Recreation Council, Welfare Council, and Human Resources and Work Environment Department, as appropriate. Funding for individual projects will depend on each department's budget at the time.