The Role of the Mediation Service in Cases Involving HSB (Harmful Sexual Behaviour)

samtale

When young people aged 15–18 have committed a sexual offence, the case may be transferred to the Mediation Service from the police or the court. This happens as part of the sanctions youth follow-up or youth sentencing, which are tailored to the young person who has broken the law. The cases handled by the Mediation Service vary in severity and complexity, but they share a common principle: the young person must take responsibility for their actions while also receiving help to understand why the incident occurred and what is needed to prevent reoffending.

Youth Follow-up and Youth Sentencing

In youth follow-up cases, the prosecution authority determines the implementation period. This period can range from 120 days to one year, and both the young person and their guardians must consent to the sanction.

In youth sentencing cases, the court determines the implementation period. This period can range from 120 days to two years. If the prison sentence that would otherwise have been imposed exceeds two years, an implementation period of up to three years may be set.

In both cases, the Mediation Service is responsible for overseeing the implementation, and the young person is followed up over time. The aim is to combine accountability, rehabilitation, and safety for both the young person, the victim, and the surrounding community.

Assessment

The Mediation Service conducts a thorough assessment of the young person’s situation and needs when receiving a new case. All youth coordinators are trained in PROFESOR – a tool used to assess children and young people who have engaged in, or are at risk of engaging in, sexually harmful behavior.

Through this assessment work, the youth coordinator gains a broader and more nuanced understanding of the young person’s life situation. The use of PROFESOR helps identify strengths, resources, and risks – within the family, among peers, and in the young person themselves.

The information gathered through PROFESOR is an important contribution to the overall assessment process, helping to outline a youth plan that is both relevant and effective.

Youth Coordinator, Youth Team, and Youth Plan

When the Mediation Service receives a case, a youth coordinator is appointed to lead and coordinate the implementation of the sanction and to follow up the young person. A youth team is established around the young person, often consisting of representatives from child welfare services, school/educational psychology services (PPT), child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS/BUP), police, and guardians. In youth sentencing cases, police and correctional services are mandatory participants.

A central part of the work is the youth plan meeting, which marks the start of the implementation. In this meeting, the young person, their guardian, and the follow-up team come together to agree on a youth plan with specific goals and measures.

The youth plan is individually tailored and may include:

  • Treatment or counselling with CAMHS, a psychologist, or other professionals
  • Safety and control measures, such as restraining orders, substance monitoring, or changes in daily routines
  • Follow-up related to school, work, and leisure activities
  • Parental guidance and support for caregivers

The youth team follows the young person throughout the entire implementation period, with both a supportive and supervisory role. The plan is binding and is followed up regularly. Breaches are always addressed, and in cases of serious violations, the case may be returned to the prosecution authority or the court.

Restorative Processes

The Mediation Service bases its work on principles from restorative justice. Restorative processes focus on addressing offences in ways that, as far as possible, repair harm and create space for understanding, accountability, and continued dialogue. Participation is always voluntary, and safety is a fundamental prerequisite.

In cases involving sexual offences, restorative processes are always considered with great caution. Such cases may involve serious violations, and the needs of the victim are given significant weight. A meeting between the victim and the young person can only take place if it is safe, professionally appropriate, and both parties consent.

When restorative processes are used, they are based on the parties’ needs, concerns, and expectations. The goal is not reconciliation, but to create safety, clarity, and an opportunity to be heard. These processes can help the young person gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions and give the victim an opportunity to ask questions and express how the incident has affected them.

Sometimes this takes place through a face-to-face meeting; other times more indirectly—for example, through written communication, phone or video meetings, or through the Mediation Service conveying messages between the parties based on consent. Restorative work may also involve meetings with others affected by the incident, or efforts to strengthen relationships and networks that can support the young person during and after the implementation period.

In Summary

The Mediation Service works in a structured and multidisciplinary way with young people who have committed sexual offences. Through assessment, youth plans, restorative processes, and collaboration with other services, young people receive support to take responsibility and change direction, while victims and the community are safeguarded in a secure and responsible manner.

References

  • https://www.konfliktraadet.no
  • Mediation Service Act (konfliktrådsloven)
  • Editorial work in collaboration with the Secretariat for the Mediation Services
  • ChatGPT. (2025). Linguistic support and draft text related to the work of the Mediation Service

Sist oppdatert 01.06.2026