Vulnerable children and youth: neglect and abuse

Statistics and legislations – how many is being abused and what are the laws in Denmark.

What is child abuse – what do you have to look for as a professional.

Pictures by Sally Mann – the goal by showing these pictures is to get an open discussion and provoke people and see how they stand, maybe we will see a cultural difference.

Debate – debate will take its starting point with the pictures and Sally Mann.

Statistics and legislations

In Denmark 8 children die every year because of abuse and/or neglect in comparison 1.730 children die from abuse/neglect in USA, the number is just an estimate and is feared to be much higher. The abused children are often under the age of 1 and the abuse is often committed by a parent or stepparent. Only seven OECD countries in the world have made it illegal to beat/hit children, among them is Denmark. In Denmark you have the duty to report It if you know that a child is being abused, and if you are a professional you have the duty already if you have the suspicion that a child is being abused.

What is child abuse?

There are four types of abuse: physical abuse/neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.