Ten Icelanders have now described brutal abuse suffered over decades at a single foster farm. Three survivors of the Bakkakot farm met Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir today, demanding a serious review of Iceland's entire foster care system. They urged others with similar stories to come forward. Their meeting at the Government Offices in Reykjavik marked a direct plea for systemic change from the nation's highest political office.
A Long-Awaited Meeting
The three men, who were placed as children at the remote Bakkakot farm in the Rangárvöllur region, described their long-sought audience with the Prime Minister. Kristrún Frostadóttir did not grant an interview following the meeting, leaving the survivors to convey its impact. Their accounts of physical and psychological abuse span a 27-year period from 1975 to 2002, revealing deep, historic failures in child protection oversight. The farm served as a placement for numerous children during those years, operating far from consistent public scrutiny.
The Survivors' Plea for Action
Speaking after the meeting, the men focused on the future safety of children. Their primary goal is to force changes that guarantee the security of any child placed in foster care. "We saw that this moved the Prime Minister," said Sigvarður Hans Ísleifsson, one of the three representatives. "I have faith that something will be done about this and that there will be some changes regarding the monitoring of children." Their advocacy shifts from sharing personal trauma to demanding concrete political and administrative action. Svavar Þór Georgsson, another survivor, expressed gratitude for public support. "I don't really know what else to say other than just thanks to the nation for standing behind those who were in this place," he stated. "We will of course continue to work tirelessly on this matter and encourage others to step forward too who have a similar history."
A System Compared Unfavorably to Livestock Care
A striking comparison emerged from the survivors' criticism, highlighting a perceived grotesque priority within Iceland's welfare framework. They pointed out that oversight of animal feed is stricter than the monitoring of children in care homes. "It came up that there is better oversight of animal feed than of children in care homes in the country," Sigvarður noted. This analogy underscores a fundamental critique: that systemic safeguards for vulnerable children have been inadequate, inconsistent, and less rigorous than those applied in agricultural sectors. This point resonates in a nation deeply connected to both its fishing and farming industries, where regulations for resources and livestock are well-established.
The Path Forward and a Call for Witnesses
The meeting represents a significant step for the growing group of survivors from Bakkakot. By taking their case directly to the Prime Minister, they aim to transform personal tragedy into national policy. Their hope is that this high-level attention will trigger an official, comprehensive investigation into historical and current foster care practices across Iceland. The call for more witnesses to come forward is crucial. Each new account adds weight to the evidence of systemic failure, making it harder for authorities to ignore or downplay the issue. The survivors' strategy relies on collective courage to break a long silence.
Political Response and National Reckoning
The Prime Minister's silent, reportedly emotional response places the ball firmly in the government's court. The Althing, Iceland's parliament, now faces mounting pressure to scrutinize the Child Protection Services and the historical licensing and oversight of foster homes like Bakkakot. Questions will focus on the mechanisms of inspection, the criteria for selecting foster families, and the channels for children to report abuse. This case forces Iceland to examine a dark chapter not as isolated incidents, but as potential indicators of a flawed structure. The Nordic model, often praised for its social welfare, is here confronted with a stark example of its possible failings when vigilance lapses.
A Test for Icelandic Society
The Bakkakot case is more than a historical abuse scandal. It is a test of Iceland's commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths about its recent past and its capacity for institutional reform. The survivors' reference to animal welfare standards is a powerful rhetorical tool designed to shame the system into action. It frames the issue not as a complex social policy dilemma, but as a basic failure of moral and practical priority. As news of the meeting spreads from Reykjavik's political districts to the rural communities, the public will watch for the government's next move. Will this meeting result in a commissioned inquiry, proposed legislation, or merely sympathetic words? The survivors have made their position clear. They are not just seeking an apology for the past they are demanding a safer system for the future. Their continued work, as Svavar Þór Georgsson promised, depends on the political will they just attempted to mobilize. The nation's conscience is now being measured by its response.