News | 30 September 2025
Regarding a streaming channel's production about a convicted former employee at IES Karlstad
It is deeply moving to listen to the personal accounts in the production. Even though memories of what happened may differ, the stories are powerful and leave their mark. It is appalling when children and young people are subjected to crime.
There is no place at IES for individuals who do not comply with laws or IES policies. We always carry out criminal records checks during all recruitments. Claims that the school did not act on signals about the perpetrator are untrue. It is regrettable that some students and parents have perceived something different.
Unfortunately, paedophiles are drawn to many places where children are present, and this is a societal problem. IES Karlstad is not the only school that has been affected by similar events, as has recently been reported in the media. There is clearly a need for stricter legislation to tackle this, which IES has also pointed out on several occasions, most recently in connection with the white paper about criminal record checks.
Now that the production is being broadcast, the school will once again provide extra support to any of the school's students and their families who request it. An ongoing police investigation limits what we can comment on, as it is important not to disrupt or influence the investigation process. As previously communicated to the streaming channel’s production, IES declined to participate, and is refraining from making further comments.