Between 2017 and 2024, nearly as many children as adults sought refuge in crisis centers in Denmark, highlighting the urgent need for support for families affected by domestic violence.
Demographics of Children in Crisis Centers
From 2017 to 2024, Denmark witnessed a significant number of adults and children utilizing crisis center services, with 14,300 adults and 13,200 children reported to have sought assistance at least once during this period. Children typically accompany their parent or another adult when entering a crisis center, with eligibility for admission contingent on the adult being over 18 and having experienced violence from a partner or close relation.
Silas Turner, an official with Statistics Denmark, noted, “Crisis centers primarily cater to adults. However, nearly as many children as adults enter these facilities. In more than half of the instances from 2017 to 2024, the violence-affected adult had one or more children with them.”
In 2024 alone, slightly over 30 men and around 1,400 women sought refuge at crisis centers, often bringing their children with them. The majority of these children fell into the age group of 0-2 years, accounting for approximately 30% of the children whose ages were recorded by Statistics Denmark during the 2017-2024 period. The number of children visiting crisis centers tends to decline as age increases.
“It is often the very young children who accompany their parents to crisis centers. Half of the children who sought help from 2017 to 2024 were six years old or younger at their first visit,” said Turner.
Policy Changes and Future Support
Significant changes are on the horizon for crisis center policies in Denmark. As of July 1, 2024, men who are victims of violence in intimate relationships will have the same right to temporary accommodation in crisis centers as women do, and they too may be accompanied by their children. Up until this new policy, statistics have only included women from 2017 until July 1, 2024. Before the inclusion of men in the statistics, Statistics Denmark published an analysis focusing on women in crisis centers between 2017 and 2023.
Those interested in learning more about the experiences of children in crisis centers are encouraged to attend a panel discussion at the Folkemøde (People’s Meeting) on Bornholm. On June 12, from 2 PM to 3 PM, Silas Turner and Magnus Nørtoft from Statistics Denmark will present statistics on children in crisis centers. Following their presentation, a panel will engage in discussions about how society can best assist children who seek refuge in these facilities.
For further details and to view the entire program from Statistics Denmark at the Folkemøde, attendees can access the necessary data through the official channels.
The joint efforts to address the needs of both adults and children in crisis situations continue to be a pressing concern in Denmark, with an increasing focus on providing comprehensive support to families affected by domestic violence.
