Reports of sexual harassment and digital sexual crimes have increased substantially in Iceland, according to new police statistics. The national broadcaster RÚV was the first to report that about 350 such offences were brought to police attention in the first half of the year.
Children were almost half of the victims in these reported cases, highlighting ongoing concerns about the exposure of minors to online exploitation. The current number of reports is the highest seen since 2021, police figures indicate.
Police warn about dangers to children
Kristján Ingi Kristjánsson, a police officer in the sexual offences unit, expressed concern about the risks facing young people online. He said it is dangerous to provide very young children with smartphones and similar devices. “It has let perverts into children’s rooms,” Kristjánsson said (translated from Icelandic).
Kristjánsson added that these crimes can have a deep effect on children. “This can cause enormous psychological harm to children,” he said (translated from Icelandic).
Sources
- RÚV (first reported) in Icelandic
- Mannlíf in Icelandic
- DV in Icelandic
