Legal and Forensic Barriers in Cases of Child Abuse – from a child rights perspective
Talk by postdoc Martine Stagelund Hvidt, University of Copenhagen.
In this presentation, I explore key legal and forensic challenges that hinder the protection of children exposed to physical violence. My research shows that Danish law sets significant procedural barriers. Children aged 15–17 can only be video‑interviewed under exceptional circumstances, meaning that video interviews are rarely used in practice, even though 13–17‑year‑olds constitute the largest group of children affected by violence. Another barrier arises when conducting forensic medical examinations, which require parental consent. If consent is refused, authorities must obtain a court order or appoint an ad hoc guardian, which can cause delays. Because children heal quickly, time is critical, and such delays can jeopardize the documentation of fresh injuries. This presentation highlights how legal frameworks and forensic realities intersect and where the system may fall short in safeguarding vulnerable children.