Today’s news / Gang crimes to influence forced child removal

Gang crimes to influence forced child removal

In Odense, Denmark, councillor Christoffer Lilleholt (V) calls for parental criminality, particularly gang-related activities, to play a greater role in decisions to forcibly remove children from homes. But this concept is already part of the fourth gang package, adopted by a broad political majority in November of the previous year. The package states that if close family members have been convicted of gang crimes, it should significantly influence the assessment for child welfare investigations. Implementation of this part of the plan is up for a parliamentary vote this month. Additionally, since 2009, Odense Municipality has spent 226 million kroner on efforts concerning eight families involved in gang criminality. Lilleholt argues for earlier forceful interventions to ensure these children have a normal upbringing. However, the government’s gang package does not include a provision for removing children solely based on parental criminality in gangs.