Since the war in Ukraine broke out at the end of February, more than 12,700 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Norway.
The vast majority are women and children who have fled war and tragedy. Many know almost no one in Norway and some speak neither Norwegian nor English.
Ukrainian Irena Dahl has lived in Norway for 12 years and thinks it is great to see that many Norwegians have done everything they can to help the refugees.
She was therefore shocked when she received a very inappropriate request from a man who was to help find housing for her mother.
– I am incredibly provoked. This is not a way to get a relationship or free housekeeping. These are vulnerable women who have fled war, says Dahl.
– THE MESSAGE: After sending some messages back and forth, the man wrote a long message in which he admitted what he was really looking for. Photo: Christine Skarstein Olsen / TV 2
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Noticed that something was dripping
When the war broke out, Dahl’s mother fled from Mykolaiv in Ukraine to Oslo in Norway. Dahl lives in a small apartment and has therefore been looking for a separate apartment for his mother, who so far has had to sleep on a mattress on the floor.
– I posted a post on Facebook and got in touch with more people who wanted to help, says Dahl.
One of those who seemed eager to help was a man who lived in Eastern Norway. It did not take long, however, for Dahl to respond to some of the questions the man asked.
– I think everything was a little strange. He was very concerned that she had to be Ukrainian and wondered how old she was and if she was alone, says Dahl.
After some messages back and forth, the man writes that he wants to be completely honest. He has been single for a while and would like to find someone he can live with and share life with.
– CONDITIONS: The man writes that he wants to find a Ukrainian lady he can stay with. Photo: Private
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“I am thinking of getting to know a lady from Ukraine who wants to live in Norway and have a good relationship with a man,” he writes to Dahl.
– I was very upset. Not only on behalf of my mother, but on behalf of all Ukrainian refugees, says Dahl.
Has sent message to several
As Dahl speaks fluent Norwegian and knows Norwegian society well, she quickly understood that the man was trying to exploit his mother.
She is nevertheless afraid that many Ukrainian refugees who do not have a network in Norway can quickly be exploited.
– It is very easy to misunderstand, especially when you are in a vulnerable situation, Dahl says.
She usually works in Nav, but due to the war, Dahl has started as an information worker at the arrival center at Råde. Through her job, she has seen how vulnerable many refugees are.
To warn other women, earlier this week she shared a photo of the conversation in a group of Ukrainian refugees.
– CONCERNED: Dahl fears that many women may be exploited by men who pretend to help. Photo: Christine Skarstein Olsen / TV 2
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There another woman wrote that she had also received messages from the same man.
– What worries me is that some women may want to consider his offer because they do not know that they can get help elsewhere, Dahl says.
Serious situation
Police now fear that more criminals want to exploit vulnerable refugees who need help and housing.
– We take this very seriously and have therefore increased our attention to this concern and are actively working on measures, says Harald Nilssen, Chief of Staff in the Oslo Police District.
The same concern is also present in the West police district.
– GOOD SYSTEM: If abuse or exploitation is discovered, the police in Oslo have good systems for dealing with this, says the chief of staff. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2
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– We get a lot of tips, both some safe information and a little more uncertain information that confirms what Oslo has also received, says police inspector Tore Salvesen.
So far, they have not had any specific cases that have been reported, but are actively working on all the tips they receive.
– It is a serious situation. We must keep in mind that these are women and children who have already experienced traumatic events in their hometown. Coming to a completely new country and again risking being abused is very serious, says Salvesen.
Has implemented several measures
In both police districts, measures have now been taken to prevent the refugees from experiencing unpleasant incidents.
– CHALLENGING: Tore Salvesen says that it is challenging work, but that it has set aside large resources. Photo: Mathias Kleiveland / TV 2
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– Work has been initiated across agencies to be able to prevent and detect cases of sexual abuse and exploitation of refugees, says Harald Nilssen in the Oslo police.
An important part of this work is to map what is happening on the internet.
– We see greater activity online also in terms of the type of abuse and planning of crime. So it is something we follow closely, says Tore Salvesen.
– Not everyone has good intentions
The Red Cross is also concerned about the vulnerable refugees, especially those who live in private homes with people they do not know.
– Not everyone who offers shelter and transport necessarily has good intentions. Therefore, it is important that relief work goes through established organizations with good routines, says Ingvill Alisøy-Gjerløw, head of humanitarian programs in the Red Cross Norway.
– RECEPTION: The Red Cross has volunteers at several refugee reception centers and believes it is important to have good routines that ensure that all volunteers have good intentions. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB
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She finds it sad and very unfortunate that someone is trying to take advantage of the situation.
– These are people who have fled war. These are mothers who come with children while spouses are left in Norway. These are incredibly vulnerable people, says Alisøy-Gjerløw.
Low threshold to notify
Irena Dahl hopes that both the police and the Norwegian authorities will do what they can to protect the refugees.
– It is very important that the refugees receive good guidance and clear information about what rights they have, Dahl says.
– HELP: Irena Dahl hopes the Ukrainian refugees get the help they need. Photo: Christine Skarstein Olsen / TV 2
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She is afraid that not all men are equally honest about what they really want and that vulnerable refugees can quickly be exploited.
– Ukrainian women should know that there is a very low threshold for notifying about such things here in Norway. Here, everyone has rights and is taken care of, says Dahl.
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