Children’s Voice is Our Compass – Listening is Our Responsibility

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Children’s Voice is Our Compass – Listening is Our Responsibility

When working with children who have witnessed or experienced violence, it is crucial that we as professionals truly listen to them. Their voices must be heard—not as a formality, but as a central part of decisions concerning their future and well-being. Children have the right to be heard, and these rights must be taken very seriously, especially when we are in positions of decision-making about their lives.

For children growing up in environments marked by violence, the emotional and psychological consequences can be deep and long-lasting. Almqvist et al. (2019) remind us that understanding children’s traumatic experiences is essential to providing adequate support. This involves more than simply giving the child an opportunity to tell their story—we must truly understand and process what they say to make the best decisions for their future.

According to Heimer et al. (2017), children’s right to be heard goes beyond simply giving them a chance to speak. Their opinions must be considered, their perspectives weighed, and their experiences cannot be minimized. This is especially important in processes where parents and other adults are central actors. We must recognize that children, even young ones, often have a deeper understanding of what is happening around them than we might assume. If we fail to listen, we risk losing an essential piece of the puzzle in providing them the security and stability they need.

Parents are often central in decision-making processes, which is natural in many cases. However, we must be aware that children’s voices do not always carry the same weight, even though the decisions affect their own lives. Broberg et al. (2011) highlight how children’s needs and perspectives can easily be overshadowed by adult interests. We have a responsibility to balance these interests and ensure children have space to speak for themselves.

A central issue to consider is the child’s internal compass—their sense of what is right and wrong, and what is best for them. If we as professionals do not listen carefully, or fail to fully consider the child’s perspective, we risk disrupting or even undermining their ability to trust and rely on this inner guidance. This can have far-reaching consequences for their self-esteem, sense of security, and future capacity to handle life’s challenges.

We must remember that children’s right to be heard is a fundamental right under both national legislation and international conventions, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Swedish Gender Equality Agency (Jämställdhetsmyndigheten, 2023) emphasizes the importance of placing children at the center in disputes about their lives. We cannot afford to lose the children’s voice in processes that affect their future, because listening to them is the best way to support them.

As professionals in social services and the courts, we must work to create a climate where children’s opinions and experiences are not only acknowledged but taken seriously. This requires a humble and respectful approach to children’s narratives. Our own understanding or preconceptions must not obscure our ability to see the child and hear their needs.

Truly listening to the child is one of the most fundamental aspects of the support we offer, and it is something we must continually develop and improve in our practice. The child’s voice is the most valuable compass we have to guide our interventions and decisions.

References

Almqvist, A., Norlen, A., Tingberg, B. (2019). Barn, unga och trauma. Att uppmärksamma förstå och hjälpa. Natur och Kultur.

Broberg, A. et al. (2011). Stöd till barn som bevittnat våld mot mamma. Resultat av en nationell utvärdering. University of Gothenburg.

Heimer, M., Näsman, E., Palme, J. (2017). Rättighetsbärare eller problembärare? Barns rätt att komma till tals och socialtjänstens insatser. Stockholm: Stiftelsen Allmänna Barnhuset.

Jämställdhetsmyndigheten (2023). Sätt barnen i centrum för tvisten om deras liv. Rapport 2023:12.

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