Elin Ek: “If there are levels of hell, then the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children is the most vile level of evil I can imagine.”

Elin Ek is a TV host, author, director and television producer. She is best known to many for her huge success with the character Grynet in SVT’s youth programme Grynets Show, which taught an entire generation to “Take no shit.” She is deeply committed to young people, values-based issues and human rights.

“An important issue for me is that children and young people should have the right to be silly and playful, to play, make funny faces, be goofy and laugh until they can hardly breathe at something only their best friend understands. For that, they need safe spaces.”

Is there someone who inspired you to want to make a difference for children?

At an information meeting for parents of teenagers about crime and neighbourhood night patrols, our local community police officer, David, said: “The presence of trusted adults is the best way to prevent crime among young people.” That image had a profound impact on me. The fact that I – a 40-plus mum who is afraid of the dark can make an area safer and protect children and young people from being exposed to crime simply by being there. Since then, I have regularly joined night patrols and taken extra shifts around occasions such as Walpurgis Night and school graduations, when many young people are out. A democratic society should be open to young people too, and this is my tiny contribution: simply showing up.

How have your experiences with children – for example through family, friends or work –influenced your commitment to children’s rights?

I have worked with children’s and youth culture my entire life. The most important thing has been to stand up for young people, and surprisingly often it is a struggle to ensure that they have the opportunity and freedom to access something everyone deserves: the chance to explore their thoughts, feelings and interests without the risk of being subjected to abuse. It makes me furious that their safe spaces and places are shrinking.

Why have you chosen to get involved in stopping the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in particular?

“If there are levels of hell, then the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children is the most vile level of evil I can imagine. It is easy to believe that this only happens in shady places far away, but when I took part in ChildX’s Brottsplatscampaign and learned that, for example, Stureplan was one of the most common meeting places for grooming, it reminded me that children can be exploited right in front of us, in public spaces, in broad daylight. Child trafficking is happening all the time. Knowing this is devastating, but knowledge gives us the tools to create change and prevent it. No child should ever have to be subjected to this.”