10,000 responses on childhood abuse – researchers hope for many more
More than 10,000 young Danes have now taken part in the largest survey of childhood abuse ever conducted. But the researchers behind it need more responses before the survey closes on 15 October.
Since April, all Danes aged 18 to 21 have been able to find a questionnaire in their e-Boks from researchers at Aarhus University.
More than 10,000 young people have now taken the time to answer the personal and at times difficult questions about physical violence, psychological violence and sexual abuse.
"I am deeply grateful to every single person who has responded. It takes something to put your childhood experiences into words, and the answers we have received are already generating new knowledge," says Assistant Professor Troels Græsholt-Knudsen from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Aarhus University, who is behind the study.
Every response counts
The 10,000 responses correspond to just under four per cent of the approximately 270,000 young people who received the questionnaire. The researchers are hoping to get considerably higher.
"The more people who respond, the more certain we can be that the results actually reflect young people's reality – including for the groups that are otherwise hard to spot. Even a few thousand extra responses will make a noticeable difference to what we can conclude," says Troels Græsholt-Knudsen.
The study is intended above all to generate knowledge about the abuse that never comes to the attention of the authorities.
"We lack knowledge about what characterises the children and young people who are not identified. That knowledge is crucial if we are to get better at finding and helping them," the researcher explains.
How to take part
The questionnaire can be completed until 15 October 2026. You log in using the username and password given in the letter in e-Boks or Digital Post. A reminder will be sent out during August. The letter is from either Aarhus University or Statistics Denmark.
Completing the questionnaire takes between half an hour and an hour, and you can pause and continue later. A draw for 100 prizes of DKK 1,000 will be held among all completed responses.
"Taking part is entirely voluntary, and you can pause or stop at any time. Throughout the questionnaire we refer to relevant support services if anyone finds it difficult," Troels Græsholt-Knudsen emphasises.
"Interest has been so great that we have at times seen the questionnaire run very slowly. We have increased our capacity to receive responses many times over – but if anyone should still find it slow, we hope they will simply wait a little and try again."
Facts about the study
Between 9 April and July 2026, the Department of Forensic Medicine at Aarhus University sent a questionnaire to all young people in Denmark aged 18 to 21. It was sent via Digital Post (e-Boks, Digital Post or other apps for public sector messages). The deadline for responses is 15 October 2026.
The study is the largest of its kind ever conducted.
It is carried out in collaboration between the Department of Forensic Medicine and the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University, Save the Children Denmark, VIVE – The Danish Center for Social Science Research, Statistics Denmark, Tilst School and the University of Edinburgh.
The study was developed in collaboration with professional experts and people with their own experience of childhood abuse, and has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Aarhus University.
Data is treated confidentially. All personally identifiable information such as names and CPR numbers is removed when the data is analysed, so that individual participants cannot be identified by the researchers. The information is used solely for research purposes.
The aim is to create a better evidence base for preventing abuse against children and young people, and to strengthen efforts to identify and help those who do not receive the necessary support today.
The project is funded by the Department of Forensic Medicine and the Danish Victims Fund. The part of the project to which VIVE contributes is funded by the Danish National Board of Social Services and Housing.
This material has received financial support from the Danish Victims Fund. The execution, content and results of the material are the sole responsibility of the authors. The assessments and views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily shared by the Council of the Danish Victims Fund.
Contacts
Assistant Professor Troels Græsholt-Knudsen
Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University
Email: tgkn@forens.au.dk
Phone: +45 20 72 31 80