Nova, 17, was raped in the family home and took her own life - Sundsvall municipality sees no wrongdoing

The 17-year-old girl Nova, as she chose to call herself, was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and self-destructiveness, among other things. Last year, she was placed in a family home where she was supposed to receive security and support, but that was not the case.

After some time in the family home in Norrköping, Nova reported to her social worker that the man in the home touched her body in an inappropriate way.

- When we receive indications like this, alarms or whatever it may be, we must act on it quickly, says Johan Vikström.

Social services made the assessment not to relocate her and Nova was allowed to stay.

- When you look at a case in retrospect, or a situation, you can then and there think that you made a mistake, says Johan Vikström.

Convicted for the rapes

Nova finally reported the man to the police, which ended with him being sentenced for several counts of rape to six and a half years in prison. He has denied the crime and the sentence has now been appealed to the Court of Appeal.

Nova was relocated to a HVB home while waiting for another housing solution, and there she took her own life.

The deficiencies do not constitute a mismatch

The municipality of Sundsvall reported itself after Nova's death. The investigation states that the deficiencies do not constitute misconduct, despite the fact that it is established that the risk is high, the deficiencies systematic and that the girl actually died.

- I cannot comment on an individual case, replies Johan Vikström, but also says:

- It's sad how it all ended and this didn't turn out well, it's a failure for society.