*
26 July 2021
When the CPS separates siblings as well,
they make you lose part of yourself
By Tonje Omdahl
• • •
This is one of three articles highlighting the way harmful actions by the CPS affect siblings.
A Norwegian version of the present article was published in December 2020, both on facebook and on MHS's home page.
This English version is published here with the author's kind consent.
Translation: Marianne Haslev Skånland
• • •
How can the courts and the CPS Barnevernet have the authority to decide whether sisters and brothers in child protection cases are to be separated or not?
It is devastating when siblings are torn from each other and placed in separate foster homes. The reason is not that the CPS lacks foster homes or resources. Rather, I believe, it has to do with what and how the CPS employees choose their priorities.
I have myself been a victim of the results. It felt like the worst of betrayals! The CPS took us in what they claimed was an emergency, and my brothers and I were torn apart; separate emergency foster homes picked us up as if we were on display – take your choice! The worst of all was when we were driven away to separate places. As if we had not been hurt enough already.
I love my twin brother and our older brother. Why should the CPS punish us even more by separating us?
First, with lightening speed you are taken from mother and father and then you are forced from your siblings and have to learn to take care of yourself. In some cases, children who have not had it so good at home are torn from their siblings just when they need the security siblings give you. In other cases the CPS takes children from well functioning families and separates siblings. Regardless of the reason for being moved, siblings should have the possibility of growing up together, they should live under the same roof!
*
You should know your own brother and sister. That ought to be the first consideration when the authorities decide about children.
I know of many who have been torn away from their brothers and sisters and it is so incredibly sad to see, because to prevent that ought to be the first priority. The authorities ought to take action and change this!
Is it allowed to split siblings up like that, without good reason – I would think not. If the situation is that it is not possible for siblings to grow up together because of very special circumstances, then care should be taken that the contact is still maintained and siblings should be able to meet whenever they want to.
**
See also
Tonje Omdahl:
It is indefensible that the CPS Barnevernet abuses its power and mobilises the police against defenceless children
MHS's home page, 11 June 2021
Inger Elisabeth Baunedal:
Norwegian child protection Barnevernet – past expiry date?
MHS's home page, 1 January 2017
Ruth L. Hafstad:
'The Naustdal family' must be left in peace
MHS's home page, 13 October 2016
Ragna Heffermehl:
A Christmas wish
MHS's home page, 3 December 2016
Vlad Gladkikh:
My email to the Norwegian Government
MHS's home page, 1 April 2012
Marianne Haslev Skånland:
Some professional child experts (3)
Lars Smith, professor emeritus of psychology
MHS's home page, 16 / 20 November 2018
Erik Bryn Tvedt:
Who is taken care of in child protection cases?
MHS's home page, 5 February 2019
Øistein Schjønsby:
Child protection – rules and regulations and how to worm out of them
MHS's home page, 26 January 2015
Morten Ørsal Johansen:
Norwegian child protection Barnevernet (CWS), a state within the state?
MHS's home page, 1 October 2017
Siv Westerberg:
Foster children as lucrative business
MHS's home page, February 2005 / 25 January 2014
Marius Reikerås:
A brief report in the wake of the two ECtHR judgments against Norway on 10 March 2020
MHS's home page, 24 March 2020
*