Minister moves to close loophole on self-harm manipulation

Denmark’s justice minister wants to change the law so people who manipulate children into self-h harm can be punished. DR reports that experts see a legal grey area when victims are persuaded, rather than forced, to hurt themselves.

Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen said it is already illegal to force someone to harm themselves, but persuading or luring someone to do so may not lead to punishment. He wants the law changed to close that gap.

DR reported Tuesday that two Danes, using the usernames Chax and Saw, led a global sadistic online network called 1414. Europol confirmed the report, according to DR. Victims in the network were allegedly blackmailed into writing their blackmailer’s username in their own blood or cutting the username or the group’s name into their skin. These acts are known as “bloodwalls” and “cutsigns”.

Professor of criminal law and criminal procedure Nicolaj Sivan Holst of Aarhus University said it could be difficult to prosecute cases where a person appears to harm themselves voluntarily but has been manipulated into doing so. He also warned that any new offence would need to respect personal freedom and avoid criminalising situations lawmakers did not intend to cover.

Child welfare organisation Save the Children also said the issue merits review, but psychologist Mia Lind Winther described it as complex because children may commit offences against other children. She called for attention to the factors that sustain a culture glorifying violence, as well as support for vulnerable young people.

Winther said the distinction between victims and perpetrators can be blurred: children who are manipulated into joining such groups may later be pressured to find new victims. Wammen acknowledged that some perpetrators may themselves have suffered, but said there must still be consequences for luring other children and young people into self-harm. He also called for preventive measures to stop young people who have been victimised from passing the harm on to others.

Politicians from several parties said the law should be examined. Morten E.G. Braustch, justice spokesperson for the Moderates, cautioned against changes that could criminalise ordinary dares among young people. Venstre group leader Morten Dahlin said the law on grooming should be extended to cover grooming children and young people into self-harm. SF justice spokesperson Astrid Carøe also said the issue should be reviewed.

Section 260 of Denmark’s Criminal Code prohibits forcing someone to do, tolerate or refrain from something through violence or certain threats. The offence carries a fine or up to two years in prison, although sentences are lower in practice, according to DR.