Reykjavik Offers Therapy to Former Vöggustofa Residents

Reykjavík City Council has agreed to fund up to ten psychology sessions for individuals who lived at the Vöggustofa facility run by Thorvaldsensfélagið between 1974 and 1979. The decision follows the release of an official report examining conditions at the home during that period. While the report stops short of confirming legal definitions of mistreatment, it acknowledges serious shortcomings in care. Some former residents have formally requested reparations from the Prime Minister’s office. The psychological support is part of measures approved by the city council: one covering 1949 to 1973 and another focused on 1974 to 1979. The earlier committee concluded with certainty that children housed there experienced negative impacts, including shorter lifespans and higher rates of reliance on disability pensions compared to peers. The later committee could not legally confirm that abuse occurred but noted similar outcomes: reduced life expectancy and an increased likelihood of receiving disability benefits. Reykjavík authorities now urge those affected during the 1974–1979 period to contact the city directly to access the offered therapy sessions. According to a press statement, the city will cover costs for up to ten individual psychological consultations per person. This move addresses long-standing concerns raised by survivors and aligns with broader efforts to reckon with historical institutional practices in Iceland.