Swedish police review Lundsberg boarding school abuse footage for possible prosecution

Footage obtained by Swedish public broadcaster SVT shows students at Lundsberg boarding school wrestling, fighting, and performing degrading acts inside a dormitory, with police now assessing whether the incidents constitute criminal offences.

The videos, uploaded over nearly a decade to a private Instagram account active until spring 2025, were revealed in the third episode of SVT’s documentary series Dokument inifrån: Arvtagarna. The account disappeared during an ongoing police investigation.

Fredrik Bäcker, head of the local police district in Bergslagen, confirmed to SVT that the footage contains elements that could form the basis for a public prosecution—where a prosecutor may initiate charges on behalf of society without a formal complaint from victims.

“We are in dialogue both internally and with prosecutors on how to proceed,” Bäcker said, adding that no reports have been filed since the documentary’s first episode aired on 13 May. He urged parents to come forward if their children have been subjected to abuse, emphasising the responsibility of adults to ensure student safety.

“As parents and guardians, it’s crucial to engage and file reports when children have been exposed to such incidents,” Bäcker said. “We must not forget the duty adults have in these environments. Children and young people must feel safe in their school setting.”

SVT has sought comment from Lundsberg’s head of operations.