Parliament has unanimously decided that the government should pressure the police to prioritize and invest more in combating sexual assaults against children online. The decision follows media revelations about assaults, including those committed by Swedes in the Philippines. The government is also urged to have the police block websites that facilitate such crimes.
The Swedish parliament has made a unanimous decision for the government to immediately act to strengthen police efforts against sexual assaults on children via the internet. The initiative stems from a committee proposal by the Social Democrats, now backed by all parties in parliament. The background includes several high-profile media reports on how individuals, including Swedes, exploit the internet to commit assaults on children in countries like the Philippines.
The decision requires the government to urge the police to prioritize these crimes and boost resources for investigations and prevention. Additionally, the police are to be tasked with blocking websites that promote or enable sexual assaults on children, including platforms sometimes referred to as sugar dating. This aims to reduce access to materials and contacts that facilitate criminal activity.
Parliament's action highlights broad political consensus on the need for swift measures in this growing issue. The police have previously noted challenges in handling the rising volume of such online cases, and the decision is expected to prompt concrete shifts in priorities and approaches.
