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A disturbing new case of ‘legal kidnapping’ has cast a spotlight on Norway’s child protection laws

At what point is it necessary to remove a child from his or her parents.

IF YOU stopped by for a visit, you wouldn’t think there was anything out of the ordinary about the Bodnariu family. 

Marius Bodnariu is a computer expert, who grew up in Romania. His wife, Ruth, is a children’s nurse. The Pentecostal Christian pair met while volunteering with street children together, and now, married in their early 30s, they have five beautiful kids aged between three months and 10 years old.

The family lived in a bright, spacious modern home in Naustdal, a farming community near the coastline in Norway’s northwest. Their house has huge windows which open out to large fields, and the whole place was filled with toys.

The Bodnariu family’s world has been torn apart.

The Bodnariu family’s world has been torn apart.Source:Facebook

But one Monday afternoon last November, their world was torn apart. Ruth was waiting for the school bus to bring her children home from school - and they never arrived. Instead, two black cars approached their farm. One drove up to the front door, and the men inside asked her to escort them to the police station.

The children were in the other car. Marius and Ruth, suspected of child abuse and religious indoctrination, were told that they would be taken away from them by Norway’s child welfare services. The kids - including the couple’s then-three-month-old baby boy - have since been placed in foster homes hours away from their parents.

The children all had close medical examinations, and not the slightest trace of a physical mark was found on them. There was no evidence to suggest they were being abused.

No prior investigations or emotional assessments had been made before the children were taken away.

In fact, the only thing that prompted them to take action was when one of the daughters reportedly told her school’s head teacher that her parents occasionally spanked her as an act of discipline.

Now, people are wondering if the country that’s been praised globally for its progressive stance on child protection has gone a step too far.

HOW DO NORWAY’S CHILD PROTECTION LAWS WORK?

In Australia, the idea of a parent spanking a child is open for debate, and many would consider it a minor form of discipline. At worst, parents and psychologists may frown upon it.

But in Norway, any sort of physical punishment inflicted upon a child is completely illegal, and as such, schools are required to report any suspected incidents to the government.

“We were questioned about violence in the home, and accused of that,” Ruth told the BBC. “We admitted to spanking the kids, but not every time they’d do something bad.

“They were all fine, but the law in Norway is very clear, down to the smallest details. Any physical correction is not allowed.”

Ruth and Marius are still not legally able to see their daughters.

Ruth and Marius are still not legally able to see their daughters.Source:Facebook

In Norway, every municipality is required to have an organisation devoted to child welfare protection, which conducts family investigations whenever these concerns are raised. Its broad name is The Child Welfare Service of Norway - or the Barnevernet.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Romania, Tove Bruvik Westberg, stressed that the Barnevernet is an independent body - no ministers can instruct the board in decisions related to child welfare. In fact, none of its decisions are subject to judicial review.

“The principle of the Child Welfare Service in Norway is that children should be raised by their parents in the home,” said Ambassador Westberg. “Where child welfare is in the picture, in eight of 10 cases children are raised by their parents, maybe with some assistance from child welfare.

“On the cases where there is an issued childcare order, the typical reasons will be abuse, neglect or violence.

“According to Norwegian law, hitting, slapping or spanking a child is not permitted. It’s clearly not permitted.”

The Barnevernet has been criticised by professional psychologists and social workers. Last year, 170 professionals demanded reform of the system in the form of a public letter, writing: “Too often we see that biological parents, who do not have all the world’s resources behind them, stand no chance against a big and powerful public apparatus. We see a tendency for decisions based on incomplete observation basis and tendentious interpretations.”

The Barnevernet is in place to stop child abuse, but some experts have argued they need to reform their methods.

The Barnevernet is in place to stop child abuse, but some experts have argued they need to reform their methods.Source:Supplied

HOW OFTEN ARE CHILDREN TAKEN AWAY IN THE SYSTEM?

According to the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality, the number of children removed from their parents in Norway rose by over 70 per cent between 2008 and 2013, from 945 to 1609. The most frequently cited reason for a care order now is “lack of parenting skills”.

Of course, child removal is an absolutely necessary form of action in some cases. Norway has been rocked by numerous shocking cases of child abuse.

In 2014, for example, a 32-year-old Lithuanian man was jailed over the murder of his eight-year-old stepdaughter three years prior. She was found dead in her mother’s home, a leather belt tightly wound tightly around her neck.

In a separate high-profile incident in 2005, the nation was shocked by a case in which an eight-year-old boy was beaten to death by his stepfather, the BBC reported.

But in other cases, like that of the Bondariu family, the circumstances are not quite as clear-cut.

In 2012, Indian couple Sagarika and Anurup Bhattacharya made world headlines after their two young children were sent to foster care in Norway.

It was reported that Norway’s Child Protective Service took objection to “cultural differences” such as the mother hand-feeding her children, which the authorities equated to force-feeding. They also reportedly objected to the children sleeping in the same bed as their parents.

The incident sparked a year-long legal battle, leading to severe public criticism of the Barnevernet by the Government of India, particularly as the Barnevernet would not give a time frame for the children’s release.

One-year-old Aishwarya Bhattacharya is held by her grandmother in a car shortly after her arrival at IGI airport in New Delhi, India, a year after Norwegian officials took her away.

One-year-old Aishwarya Bhattacharya is held by her grandmother in a car shortly after her arrival at IGI airport in New Delhi, India, a year after Norwegian officials took her away.Source:AFP

Norway’s public broadcaster has reported that the majority of the cases under investigation involve immigrant families like that of the Bodnarius. They said this is because they often come from cultures where physical punishment of children is more common.

Mari Trommald, Norway’s Director of Children, Youth and Family Affairs, told Press TV that taking children away is a last resort. “We try our best to try foster families with the same background as the children, but this can be challenging,” she told Press TV.

“We still make sure the child gets to learn their family’s language and religion.”

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE BODNARIU CHILDREN NOW?

In February, the family was allowed to reunite for the first time since the children were taken three months prior.

According to a support website for the family, a Norwegian judge abruptly gave the couple custody of their baby, and allowed them to see the other two boys twice a week.

It is unclear whether or not the couple are allowed to see their daughters.

The children are now in emergency custody, but next month a panel will decide whether or not they should be returned to their parents.

In the meantime, tens of thousands of people - both within the country and around the world, and particularly in Marius’ home country of Romania - are rallying against the Norwegian state to see the Bodnariu children returned to their parents. They deem the Barnevernet’s actions a form of “legal kidnapping”, and argue it’s a case of power taken to its extreme.

 

Facebook support page called “Norway Return the children to Bodnariu Family” has been set up, and has more than 28,000 supporters. An online petition has received more than 60,000 signatures.

Anders Hendriksen, the head of section at the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, likened these protests to “cultural misunderstanding”, which he said plays a part in the negative reactions.

“The Norwegian Child Welfare is a system which can be difficult to understand for foreigners who settle in Norway. It may be challenging for them to understand that a public institution like the Norwegian Child Welfare can intervene in the private life of a family, and take over the care of the children,” he said.

“The Norwegian Child Welfare Act’s main purpose is to ensure that children who live in conditions that can harm their health and development are given necessary help and care. The Act applies to all children in Norway, regardless of their residential status, background or nationality or citizenship.”

Until next month’s hearing, Ruth and Marius will just have to wait desperately until they can be with their children.

 
Source : http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/a-disturbing-new-case-of-legal-kidnapping-has-cast-a-spotlight-on-norways-child-protection-laws/news-story/6ba9cffbb11adb8340d3b22609c3c8be
 

School authorities ignored kindergarten 'child-on-child' sexual abuse, mother claims


 

A South Australian mother says school and government authorities swept aside her family’s concerns when they discovered a boy at kindergarten had sexually abused their child.

News Corp reports the mother – who cannot be named to protect her child’s identity – said school staff dismissed the abusive behaviour as normal.

Her four-year-old child was one of 15 allegedly exposed to alleged ‘child-on-child’ abuse at a small community in South Australia’s south east.

“My child was repeatedly abused and it was ignored,” she said.

“Staff had told parents that ‘mothers are making up stories’ and 'it was all age appropriate.'"

"One teacher had said to a mother — whose child disclosed extremely disturbing behaviour — that, ‘there is nothing that we can see about the boy in question’s behaviour that is of a concern, it’s absolutely normal behaviour.'"

The boy is still enrolled at the kindergarten and now requires constant supervision. His behaviour is said to have extended to out of school care.

Children subjected to the abusive behaviour have moved to other kindergartens, some of which are long distances away.

The mothers complaints echo shocking revelations raised in a Senate submission by University of South Australia Emeritus Professor Freda Briggs , who said easy access to pornography was driving an increase in sexualised behaviour in young children.

Professor Briggs wrote last month of the incident in which 15 children had been subject to ‘child-on-child abuse’ in South Australia. 

“The staff allegedly ignored anal and oral sex accompanied by threats and secrecy, dismissing it as “normal developmentally appropriate behaviour,'" Professor Briggs wrote.

“Parents complained to the CEO of South Australia’s Department of Child Development and Education (DECD) and Minister Susan Close.

“Parents removed victims from the kindergarten for their safety but the next nearest facility involves a 240km drive each day.”

According to Professor Briggs, Minister Susan Close confirmed a ‘police driven’ rule in which teachers were instructed not to ask questions in such cases through fear they may contaminate evidence. 

“It is alleged that no-one asked him where he had learned to play these ‘sex games’", Professor Briggs wrote.

“The Minister agrees that this rule was “police driven”. However police are not interested if the only witnesses to abuse are young or disabled and lack the sophisticated communication skills needed to undergo rigorous cross examination by barristers as witnesses in an adult criminal court.”

An Education Department spokesperson told News Corp procedures had been updated to deal with the rising incidences of sexualised behaviour in children.

"In response to the increasing prevalence and complexity of these behaviours, the department has updated procedures to ensure the response by individual staff and the agency is timely and appropriate. 

“Individualised approaches are put in place as each matter has its own layers of complexity requiring a very sensitive and empathetic response.”

The spokesperson said the department was providing ongoing support to the families and children involved with the kindergarten.

*** UPDATE: Another foster child left for dead by Tweed Heads child protection caseworkers

Since publication of this article in 2013, neither DHS or any NGO have taken any responsibility for this young man.  He has been left homless, left with drug addicts receiving hefty foster care allowances to pay their drug habit, and he has been jailed twice.  All at the ripe old age of 18.  What hope is there for Aron, who was ripped from his mothers arms and left to rot in foster care until he was old enough to run away from the disfunctional placement he was given by people who claim to work in the best interest of the child. 

His mother begged for help for many years, has shifted from area to area after being told by NGOs that they are going to reunify her and her children.  What a cruel scam to run on a mum who only wanted the best for her kids.  None of the four children removed have ever been debriefed, they were just removed from their mothers life where there was no evidence of abuse or neglect and handed around to various foster carers and agencies where everybody flourished except them.

When will DoCS be held accountable for their crimes against humanity?

COAG recommends national registration of social workers

A national registration system for social workers is being urged by the South Australian Government in the wake of damning coronial findings after the tragic death of Adelaide girl Chloe Valentine.  ***(In fact, the social workers themselves are looking at adopting a "self-regulated" model of oversight, which will do nothing to help protect children or ensure that social workers are abiding by the laws.  Afterall, it's no different to the law society of each state regulating lawyers that pay to run the law society.*)

Denver Human Services caseworker claims she was forced to lie about placing child with sex offender

DENVER - A Denver Human Services caseworker has claimed under oath that she was forced to place a child in a home where he was later abused. She claims that she expressed concerns about the decision, but her supervisor told her she would be fired if she went "against the department."

The boy, who was 12 at the time, was placed in the care of his father, Tiercel Duerson, despite Duerson's prior conviction in 2005 for attempted sexual assault on his 15-year-old stepdaughter. Duerson refused to complete his sex offender treatment program and eventually served time in jail.

A DHS investigation later found that Duerson sexually assaulted the boy during the placement. A criminal investigation into those incidents is pending. Duerson is currently in custody on charges of failing to register as a sex offender.

Ludicrous reasons why good and fit mothers have lost custody

Iif you have a guardian ad litem (GAL) or child custody evaluator assigned or appointed to your case that is unscrupulous, ill-trained, incompetent or biased either toward a father or a form of custody, there is virtually no way for a mother to truly "prepare" for a child custody evaluator. If you have been unfortunate enough to have this type of evaluator, be very prepared to find other documentation, evidence, witnesses, and experts with superior credentials to refute the report and offer alternate views to the court. You can not let these sorts of evaluations stand. Here are some of the more ludicrous documented reasons given by evaluators or judges in numerous cases where good and fit mothers lost custody:

  • Breastfeeding--the mothers either wanted to and it was determined an alienating behavior, or they did not choose to breastfeed and it was termed child neglect or indifference
  • Children got head lice during a period of mother's care.
  • Too many people (all relatives) living in one home (i.e. mom had to return home to family to gain economic and emotional support)
  • Father remarried and married family deemed superior to single motherhood
  • Father's job and education deemed superior--sometimes even though mom sacrificed her goals and dreams so father could obtain same.
  • Not desiring 50/50 custody or other joint custodial arrangements
  • Not desiring to give up the marital home
  • Leaving the marital home while fleeing from abuse, especially if she left the children behind.
  • Going to church
  • Going to church too often
  • Not going to church

DoCS cruel tactics sending parents over the edge

With so much hoohaa over domestic violence at present, we thought it wise to show the link between it and removal of children from mothers.

Six years ago a beautiful young mother had her four children removed - after she left their violent father and seeked assistance from a state funded women's domestic violence shelter.  The reason for the removal of the children, according to court documents submitted by the caseworker, was that the mother breached parenting orders, forcing her to remove the children.

So what was it in this breach, that was so bad that the children including a young baby, had to be so harshly intervened with and separated for life? 

The mother had been beaten up by another woman at the refuge and after not being provided any assistance, left, as any mother would who was trying to protect her children from violence.

Dozens in CPS have criminal records

Drug possession, domestic violence, repeatedly driving drunk, assault with a deadly weapon – any one of these charges or convictions could lead child protective services workers to remove children from a home or force a parent into counselling. But all of those crimes and many others appear in the backgrounds of employees of Sacramento County's Child Protective Services, a Bee investigation has found.

First of two parts

"The four options available to anyone unfortunate enough to be tagged by the "Department of Child Abduction""

Option 1: If you can get access to a lot of dollars, get a decent QC. The earlier in the game, the better. But, even then, it depends on what has already been said and done by the child slavers, as this tends to create a problem, even for a seasoned lawyer. The child slavers have a beaut knack for dragging things on, if they really desire your child, to break the emotional connection between parent and child, to control the child, and indirectly, you... and this to you, means lengthy heartache and a lot more money. So, to keep it short, with a QC, you'd be looking at anywhere from $50,000 to $1,000,000 to wasted money and still no children home.. until they 18 and totally stuffed physically and psychologically.

"Death in care criticism "

THE State Government will consider new safety measures for psychiatric patients in care after a Coroner hit out at a "fatalistic professional attitude" to the risk of suicide.

Helen Jeffrey, 30, suffocated herself with a plastic bag provided by Nambour General Hospital staff on March 24 last year.

She had been admitted to the psychiatric intensive care unit after attempting suicide and became the second sectioned psychiatric patient in two years in Queensland to end her life using a plastic bag.

Maroochydore Coroner Ken Taylor last week made nine recommendations over Ms Jeffrey's death to Health Minister Stephen Robertson – expressing surprise that hospital staff had not identified plastic bags as a potential suicide aid.

"I have felt somewhat uneasy about what I shall, for the sake of convenience, term a fatalistic professional attitude towards suicide risk," Mr Taylor wrote.

A spokesman for Mr Robertson said the Minister was awaiting a copy of the recommendations which include a call to remove all objects "not uncommonly used as a means of suicide or attempted suicide".

Mr Taylor also recommended that Mr Robertson examine the feasibility of fitting remote pulse-monitoring wrist bands to all psychiatric patients held in state care.

Staff psychiatrist Keith Muir told the inquest that, in 35 years of clinical experience, he had never encountered such a death.

Asked by Mr Taylor if he was alarmed by the presence of plastic bags in psychiatric units, Dr Muir said: "Yes and no."

"The fact is that people who are determined to kill themselves . . . you know, that old expression, 'Where there is a will, there is a way'," Dr Muir said.

Mr Taylor said it was with a "considerable degree of incredulity" that he received the evidence that plastic bags had not been identified as a potential suicide aid before Ms Jeffrey's death.

Although Ms Jeffrey's family was entitled to be disappointed, the Coroner made no criticism of the standard of care.

"I am satisfied there was no wilful neglect," he said.

The Health Minister's office said plastic bags were already being removed "where ever practical" from psychiatric wards in line with precautions triggered by Ms Jeffrey's death.

But the spokesman said it would be difficult to eliminate their presence because plastic bags were necessary to line "communal" bins for potentially infectious or unhygienic waste.  (Source :http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/death-in-care-criticism/story-e6freoof-1111112550110)

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