In the same year, the Folketing allocated DKK 80 million to children in Greenland. Now the effort was to be strengthened together with 16 recommendations prepared by the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, and the Danish government.
But the hardest hit children have not benefited from the money, says Martha Lund Olsen, director of children and family in Greenland’s largest municipality, Sermersooq. It covers, among other things, Tasiilaq.
– If you thought that the help from the Ministry of Social Affairs went to the most vulnerable children and their families, you are wrong, she says to the Greenlandic media Sermitsiaq.
– There are far too many children who can not get the help they need. It must and must be stated that it is not the hardest hit children who have been prioritized with this money, says Martha Lund Olsen, who is a former needle painter (minister) for families and social affairs.
She points out that the vast majority of the money has gone to upgrading the National Board of Health and Welfare with 60 to 80 new employees and to pay Danish municipalities to contribute with four social workers.
In general, every third child in Greenland has been exposed to neglect, and every fifth has been sexually abused.
The children in Tasiilaq are at particular risk, where in 2020 25 reports of sexual abuse committed against children under the age of 15 were submitted. It was as many as in the capital Nuuk.
Former Tasiilaq children and youth director Lene Warwick tells Ritzau that she agrees with the criticism that the money has gone past the children who need it most.
In 2019, she was given the task of ensuring more prevention and treatment in the city. She has since returned to Denmark.
– The few employees who are left are working hard. But it does not ensure that the children receive help that can permanently improve their situation, says Lene Warwick.
She points to poor housing conditions and high unemployment, which cause the children’s dissatisfaction.
– The living and living conditions are so serious that they should not take place. The Danish government should be aware of this when allocating so much money.
Chairman of Save the Children Greenland Jonna Ketwa is among the many who have criticized the Greenland government, Naalakkersuisut, for failing the children.
She also doubts whether the money from Denmark has changed anything.
– The government up here does not announce anything. But it is our impression that it is going very slowly. It is difficult to say whether the children have gotten better, but I have my doubts, says Jonna Ketwa.
For example, professional help is still not provided to people who commit a sexual assault.
– Thus, in the worst case, they can continue, she says.
Against Sermitsiaq, naalakkersuisoq (Minister) for Children, Youth and Families Paneeraq Olsen rejects the criticism from Martha Lund Olsen.
He says several new initiatives are helping to prevent child abuse.
Source: The Nordic Page