(CN) — In 2023, Sweden has seen an escalation of gang shootings on the outskirts of its bigger cities. This summer, there were several fatal incidents in Stockholm's Farsta neighborhood, and in September alone 11 people died.
According to the latest data from Swedish police, there have been 337 shootings in 2023, 50 of which were fatal. Several of the victims were under 20 years old, and were attacked during the day in public places.
In October, the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention published a report describing how young people from 15–20 years old often recruit even younger children for criminal networks such as drug trafficking gangs. Kids from vulnerable neighborhoods are more at risk.
Kristina Alstam, a social work researcher and lecturer at the University of Gothenburg, studies how to protect young people from being recruited. Alstam said that the grooming process usually happens in a child’s network, when they are asked to do favors for family or friends.
The violent hot spot zones are suburban areas around Gothenborg, Stockholm and Malmö. A common denominator for the families living there is that they generally struggle with low incomes, limited living space and social exclusion, Alstam said.
“Kids are vulnerable in marginalized areas around bigger cities, where poverty is visible. Usually, they need money and come from families with some kind of mental or physical trauma,” she said, adding that many of the recruited youngsters have trouble in school, which makes them insecure about pursuing a traditional career. Some also suffer from cognitive challenges.
“We also see that they live in overcrowded households, where many don’t have their own room. Consequently, they spend a lot of time hanging out outside, near football fields, the local grocery store or library, where the risk of being recruited is higher,” she pointed out.
Eventually, the child will be asked to participate in crimes, like hiding stolen goods or transporting guns. That exposes them to more violent and dangerous environments.
In Alstam’s view, there is a political responsibility to create more stable economic conditions for families in at-risk areas. However, she also emphasized the fundamental importance of preventing recruitment in local communities, where social workers and nongovernmental organizations can connect with both children and families at an early stage.
Fryshuset is one of the major organizations in Sweden offering activities and providing inclusive schooling opportunities for people living in areas deemed at risk, like Järva, north of Stockholm. This area is known for its crime statistics and run-down structures, where many second- and third-generation migrants live.
The primary objective has been to establish a safe home away from home, where children and their families can do activities and be empowered without the fear of judgment, according to Semret Meskel, site manager for Fryshuset in Järva.
The organization recently established a school with 400 students. Here, they offer breakfast several times a week to support families financially and ensure the well-being of children for eight hours a day.
“Our goal is to keep children safe and engaged with us from the age of 6 to 29. Later in life, we have around 15 different programs that they can participate in — spanning from a peace ambassador program to summer job groups to educational projects,” she explained.
She said that in socio-economically challenged areas, parents are often stressed and working two jobs.
“So we help provide space and stimulating activities,” she said.
And the collective effort with civil organizations and municipalities in Järva has paid off. The number of shootings has gone down from 22 in 2020 to just four in 2023, local police authorities told Meskel.
However, it remains a significant challenge that these areas are isolated from the rest of society, she noted.
Some of the children and their families rarely go outside Järva, so Fryshuset arranges group trips to national parks and public institutions like the local fire station —specifically so kids can have a good first experience with authorities.
“We also work with the members individually. For example, we offer talks about healthy relationships for teenage girls and mental health and well-being for moms and dads. And then we also have events such as skating for kids and football night on Fridays and Saturdays,” Meskel said.
In addition to organizations like Fryshuset, Sweden’s municipalities have special groups targeting young people who are already on a criminal path.
At northeastern Gothenborg’s local social services department, coordinator Eli Abdo said that they have specific task forces in certain areas that contact people with criminal backgrounds and help them start a new life. He underlined the importance of building a safety net around the young adults with employment services, psychiatry and adult education.
“When we see a window of opportunity to work with a person who has a criminal background, we enroll them. We try to understand their lives and how we can help with, for example, an education, a job or rehabilitation,” Abdo said.
A window of opportunity can occur when young adults are about to get out of prison, or when they are contacted by outreach workers on the streets. Many of the latter employees also come from the neighborhoods themselves, so they can effectively build relationships with local families and individuals who need help to change their lifestyle.
Abdo said that the outreach workers help exposed young people pay bills, fill out forms, get groceries and stay motivated. A lot of them struggle with feelings of loneliness, trauma and insecurity, so any support helps, Abdo said.
He wishes there were more social field workers to act as positive contacts for vulnerable kids and teenagers.
“I don’t believe any person who lives this type of life does it by choice. Every human had different circumstances that brought them to where they are in life today. In Sweden right now, it is important to remember that everyone can get another chance and have plenty of opportunities,” Abdo said.
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