DEBATE • In recent years, we have repeatedly read about how elderly—often demented and defenseless women—have been subjected to violence and sexual abuse in their own homes by home care staff. In a previous survey, it emerged that hundreds of cases of rape against elderly women have been reported in just a few years. At the same time, the number of unreported cases is estimated to be high.

Very recently, new information has come to light about yet another ruthless case. It involves a man from Syria who, in an almost torture-like manner, regularly assaulted and humiliated elderly people in his role as a care assistant. He has also filmed the assaults and posted them on social media. The man is now charged with a total of 44 crimes against 13 elderly individuals and also has a history of serious criminality. As is the case in almost all similar instances, the perpetrator has a non-European background.

In the aftermath of the 2016 refugee wave, elderly care began to be redefined; from providing fundamental security for the elderly, to becoming a labor market measure for newly arrived and unintegrated individuals. In an attempt to mitigate the consequences of failed migration policies, the other parties simply began to regard elderly care as a place for “simple jobs.” A tool for integration and labor market initiatives, rather than security for those in need. 

State wage subsidies and various integration targets have gradually lowered the requirements for employment and, in many cases, directly unsuitable or even criminal individuals have been hired. 

Widespread language deficiencies in care do not only create a great sense of insecurity but also significantly increase risks to patient safety. This development has also led to worse conditions and higher workload for competent staff, regardless of background, which has often caused them to move on to other sectors. 

Back to the most frightening aspect—the abuse. Case after case paints a picture of individuals with a deep lack of empathy, whose values do not belong in elderly care or in Sweden. 

The fact that multi-ill and frail pensioners risk being subjected to assault and sexual abuse by care staff is a new phenomenon and must never be normalized. In fact, this type of phenomenon was essentially unthinkable in Sweden before mass immigration policies. 

Given the scale and seriousness of the increasing number of violent and sexual crimes in elderly care, strong measures must be taken. Now. The Sweden Democrats propose, among other things:

SD’s proposals

  • Establish an accident inquiry commission for assaults within home care.
  • Mandatory and continuous registry checks of all care employees.
  • Blacklist those who commit abuse so they cannot obtain similar jobs in other municipalities after serving their sentence.
  • Legally mandated right for care recipients to choose the gender of their caregiver in intimate care situations.
  • Possibility of video surveillance during home care visits.
  • Expanded employer liability for those who fail to act on information.
  • Individuals who commit serious or repeated assaults should be able to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

It is also high time to survey the root causes as to why the majority of the perpetrators have a non-European background. Do factors such as culture, values, or views on women play a part? It is also important to clarify why municipality after municipality fails to recruit appropriately or to immediately take action when necessary. 

We wish to take a comprehensive approach and establish a national accident inquiry commission to investigate all aspects and where the deficiencies lie. The municipalities that have concealed or consistently failed to act despite obvious abuses should also be held accountable.

The fact that elderly in need of help risk being subjected to abuse is a shameful contemporary phenomenon. These vile assaults must not be normalized. Instead, responsibility, security, and justice for the elderly must be the norm.

Jessica Stegrud (SD)
Social Policy Spokesperson