Våldet vuxenvärlden inte når - En studie om socialsekreterares syn på och arbete med våld i ungas parrelationer

Abstract

This study examines how social workers in child and youth units within Social Services perceive and experience working with violence in young people's intimate relationships. The study aims to highlight whether there is a need for a domestic violence team within the child and youth units. Violence in young people’s close relationships is a growing societal issue, with limited establishment within the research field. While research on the frequency of such violence has increased, studies focusing on tailored support measures have lagged behind. To address our objective, we used a qualitative research method, collecting empirical data through semi-structured interviews. A total of six social workers participated in the study, and the interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The findings were further interpreted through the lenses of the theories of street-level bureaucrats, intersectionality, and empowerment. The results show that violence in young people’s relationships has a low incidence rate within Social Services and is perceived as a difficult phenomenon to detect. Despite limited knowledge of the issue, social workers generally hold a positive view of their scope for action. However, they identify limitations in the availability of specific interventions, often referring young people to other actors or offering more general measures instead.