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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child abuse is taken very seriously in Denmark, and Thisted is no exception. Cases of suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation are handled through a combination of municipal child welfare services, the police, healthcare providers, and the courts. The main goals of the Danish system are to protect the child - including immediate safety where needed - to investigate suspected criminal conduct, and to secure longer term care and support for the child and family where appropriate. The municipal child and family services in Thisted Municipality play a central role in assessing risk, coordinating interventions, and deciding whether to offer voluntary support or to pursue protective measures that may include placement outside the home.
A lawyer can help at many stages in cases involving child abuse. Common situations where legal help is needed include:
- If the police open a criminal investigation against a parent, caregiver, or alleged perpetrator - to protect the accused person's rights or to represent a victim as a civil claimant.
- If Thisted Kommune begins a child-protection assessment and proposes measures such as supervision, treatment plans, or out-of-home placement - to advise on rights, challenge or negotiate measures, and to represent you in appeals.
- If there is a custody or parental authority dispute linked to allegations of abuse - to protect the child and to seek or defend custody or visitation arrangements.
- To apply for emergency protection or to obtain restraining orders and ensure urgent safety measures are legally enforced.
- To obtain compensation for injuries, medical costs, or psychological harm - including guidance about state victim compensation schemes and civil claims.
- To navigate interactions with medical experts, forensic examinations, and documentation that may be used in both criminal and child welfare proceedings.
Key legal frameworks and local structures relevant to child abuse in Thisted include:
- Social Services Act (Serviceloven) - This is the primary law governing municipal child protection. Under this law Thisted Kommune has the duty to assess reports of children at risk, to offer supportive interventions, and - where necessary - to take stronger measures to protect the child. The municipality can initiate voluntary measures or seek court-authorised placement if parents do not consent and the child’s wellbeing requires it.
- Penal Code (Straffeloven) - Physical and sexual abuse of children are criminal offences under Danish criminal law. The police in Thisted investigate allegations of criminal abuse, and the public prosecution service decides whether to bring charges.
- Mandatory notification - Certain professionals have a duty to notify the municipal child welfare services if they become aware that a child may be at risk. This duty applies to people working in schools, daycare, health care, and other child-related services.
- Family law institutions - Family matters such as custody, parental authority, and visitation are handled through Familieretshuset and, where necessary, the courts. Allegations of abuse are relevant to decisions about who has parental responsibility and what contact a child should have with a parent or other family member.
- Appeals and oversight - Decisions by Thisted Kommune about child-protection measures can be appealed to the national Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen). Criminal prosecutions are pursued by the public prosecutor and adjudicated in criminal courts. Victims may also seek state compensation for criminal acts under the victim compensation system.
Child abuse includes physical violence, sexual abuse, severe emotional mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation. It also includes situations where an adult is failing to secure a child’s basic needs or exposing the child to serious risks. Whether a specific situation qualifies as abuse depends on the facts and professional assessment.
If a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services on 112. For non-urgent concerns, contact Thisted Kommune - Child and Family services - or call the police. Health professionals, teachers, and other mandated reporters must notify the municipality if they suspect a child is at risk.
Reports to the municipality and to the police are handled confidentially as far as possible, but information must be shared with professionals who need it to protect the child or investigate a crime. The reporting person’s identity is generally protected, and mandated reporters are permitted - and sometimes required - to tell certain authorities.
Thisted Kommune will normally make an initial assessment to determine whether the child is at risk. This may include interviews with the child and family, home visits, coordination with schools and health services, and possibly a referral for medical or psychological assessment. If a criminal act is suspected, the police may also open an investigation. The municipality may offer voluntary support, or in more severe cases seek court measures for protection.
The municipality can propose placement outside the home. If parents do not consent, the municipality must involve the courts for an order to place a child without parental agreement. Emergency measures can also be taken in acute danger, but such steps are subject to legal safeguards and review.
If you are accused, you have the right to legal counsel, to receive information about the allegations, to see evidence where appropriate, and to present your version of events. A lawyer can advise about interactions with the police, the municipality, and the courts, and can represent you in criminal or family proceedings.
In serious cases where the child’s safety is at stake, health professionals and authorities may perform medical or forensic examinations without parental consent if it is necessary to protect the child or to investigate a crime. Procedures are subject to legal and ethical rules and are carried out with a focus on the child’s best interests.
You may be eligible for public legal aid - known as fri proces - in criminal cases and in certain family law matters, depending on your income and the nature of the case. Victims and accused persons should ask about legal aid options early on, including whether Thisted Kommune or a victim support organisation can help arrange assistance.
Yes. A victim of a crime can apply for state compensation under Denmark’s victim compensation schemes, and it may be possible to seek civil damages against the perpetrator. A lawyer can advise on the applicable procedures, deadlines, and evidence needed for claims.
There is no fixed timeline. Municipal assessments and child-welfare measures can take weeks to months depending on complexity. Criminal investigations and prosecutions can also take considerable time, especially where forensic examinations, witness statements, or psychiatric reports are required. Appeals add further time. A lawyer can give a realistic estimate based on the specific circumstances.
If you need help or more information, consider these local and national resources:
- Thisted Kommune - Child and Family services - the municipal office responsible for reports and family interventions.
- Politiet (local police in Thisted) - for criminal reports and investigations.
- Familieretshuset - for family law matters such as custody and parental responsibility.
- Ankestyrelsen - the national Social Appeals Board for appeals against municipal child-welfare decisions.
- Socialstyrelsen - national guidance on social interventions and child welfare practices.
- Børnerådet and Børns Vilkår - NGOs working on children’s rights and providing advice and support.
- Local hospitals and medical services - for urgent medical care and forensic medical examinations.
- Victim support organisations - for emotional support, practical help, and information about compensation schemes.
If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 112 now. If the situation is not an emergency but you suspect abuse, take the following steps:
- Contact Thisted Kommune - Child and Family services - to make a report or request guidance on how to proceed.
- If a crime may have been committed, contact the local police to ensure a criminal investigation can start.
- Seek medical attention for the child if there are physical or psychological injuries. Preserve medical records and document injuries with dates and, where possible, photos.
- Consider consulting a lawyer with experience in child-protection, family law, or criminal law in Denmark. Prepare notes about events, witnesses, and any written or recorded evidence to share with your lawyer.
- If you need emotional or practical support, contact a victim support organisation or a children’s support NGO in Denmark for counselling and guidance.
- Keep careful records of all contacts with authorities, appointments, and decisions. If you disagree with a municipal decision, ask about the appeals process and timelines.
Taking timely, informed action helps protect the child and ensures your rights and the child’s rights are respected throughout the process. A qualified lawyer can help you understand options, represent your interests, and guide you through municipal and court procedures in Thisted and beyond.
