An external review of elderly care services in Umeå municipality has been completed following sexual assaults in home care services, according to public broadcaster SVT Västerbotten. The review, ordered last year after the municipality faced massive criticism for its handling of the cases, shows that while Umeå has relevant routine documents for suspected crimes against the elderly, these procedures are not known to all staff working in elderly care.
Last year, four sexual assaults against elderly women were reported in connection with home care services. A home care employee in Umeå municipality was suspected of the crimes. One case was dropped because the woman did not want to participate in the investigation, and ultimately the former home care employee was convicted of subjecting two women to aggravated rape and aggravated sexual abuse respectively.
very satisfied
The municipality received heavy criticism for allowing the man to continue working with other elderly individuals despite knowledge of one case, and for failing to make a police report. The new review found that while the municipality largely has appropriate routine documents, it remains unclear who should practically make police reports in cases of crimes within elderly care.
Lena Karlsson Engman (S), chair of the elderly care committee, stated she is 'very satisfied' that the reviewers found Umeå municipality stands well in its routines, but acknowledged the need to constantly work on implementing them. The administration has been tasked with reviewing the report's recommendations and returning with a concrete action plan, which Karlsson Engman estimates will take several months to complete.