New alarms after suspected abuse at Sigtunaskolan: "The tip of an iceberg"

As recently as last summer, the Sigtunaskolan humanistic curriculum was audited by the School Inspectorate. The boarding school then lived up to the authority's requirements for security work. However, the supervision was not aimed at the student residences.

Since last week's police operation, the School Inspectorate has received several new reports of misconduct at the school. The authority is now considering conducting a new inspection.

- The event itself may have opened up for many who may have seen, heard and experienced a lot of things that they are now telling us. It's good, because it gives us a basis, says Agneta Broberg, regional manager at the School Inspectorate.

SVT has taken note of the reports to the School Inspectorate, several of which are anonymous. The documents show a picture of a system of points and penalism where younger students are exploited by older ones. A strong culture of silence prevails, according to one student.

"Many students do not dare to tell their parents or the staff about the rules, the punishments and how the older students treat the younger ones".

Parent on the culture of silence: "Afraid"

Guardians also show fear of reprisals:

"I ask you to handle my report with the greatest possible care. I am afraid of what consequences it may have for my child if it becomes known that I contacted you".

A guardian describes the suspected abuse as "the tip of an iceberg".

"It's not about isolated events or resets that have gone off the rails, but about deep-rooted traditions that have been passed on between cohorts".

There are also testimonies from parents who talk about psychological abuse – older students are said to have frozen students out for long periods:

"No one is allowed to talk to or socialize with the vulnerable student".

Testimony of "mental breakdown"

According to another testimony to the School Inspectorate, "specially elaborated methods are used to create fear, submission and psychological breakdown in younger students" at the boys' home.

Parents call on the School Inspectorate to take action and act against the situation at the school.

Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska läroverket CEO and head of school Sofia Kinberg has previously commented on the suspected abuses in a press release, where she says, among other things, that "students who tell about violations should know that they have the school's full support".

- The students' safety is our highest priority, she said then.

SVT has applied for the school management.