Children's welfare before the integrity of family institution

The significance of family institution is secondary when it comes to children’s welfare , as reflected by the Swedish legislation.

A statistic by the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden (Socialstyrelsen), shows that there were 29, 568 children and young people placed in foster care at some point in 2012.

For parents like Azizul Raheem and Shalwati Nurshal, who are currently under cus tody in Sweden and whose children are placed in foster care as a result of a report for alleged abuse, their prospect of reunion as a family again is vague.

According to Monica Jacobson, a jurist with the National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden, this act regulates and protects every well being of a child, regardless of their age, religion and nationality. It is defined in this law, the Care of Young Persons Act, that child abuse constitutes the abuse and neglect of a child both physically and psychologically.

Ms. Jacobson added that different cases hold different sets of care and that in general, a child will not be separated from their parents to be with foster care without a parent or the child’s consent.