Children Exposed to Severe and Homicidal Violence : Professinals Revealing Their Insufficient Societal Status

Abstract: Violence-exposed children are unintended victims, often an unseen and overlooked victim group in society. It is a societal responsibility that all victims are realized and supported. Through describing the perspective of professionals meeting these children, their status and opportunities in society and legal system can be investigated. To study professionals’ experiences, conceptions, and knowledge about violence-exposed children, a questionnaire was distributed to 63 professionals, representing police, prosecutors, social- and treatment personnel. Qualitative questions about experiences and knowledge were analysed thematically. Additional quantitative statements of held conceptions were analysed with t-tests and regression methods. Findings revealed these children are still overlooked; psychological knowledge about their symptoms, testimonies, and perspective is lacking; professional routines/guidelines are missing; and problems such as children’s legal status as non-victims are hindering effective work to guarantee these children’s care. Results provide information facilitating necessary changes to ensure this group of psychologically abused victims’ recovery and societal rights.