On Thursday, the Halden Rettssenter for Legal Aid officially opened its doors, providing free legal assistance to children and young people up to 25 years old. Located at the Halden Library within Skofabrikken, the center aims to address the various legal challenges faced by youth, including issues related to family situations, workplace concerns, digital privacy, and more.
Elida Aam from the Youth Council described the importance of such services: "Some have it tough at home; it could be issues like image and video dissemination online, difficulties at work, domestic violence, and unfortunate events at parties. Many young people are especially unaware of their rights during their first jobs. All these are things the Rettssenter can help them address." This sentiment reflects the urgency behind the initiative, which seeks to bridge the gap between young individuals and their legal rights.
The opening ceremony was graced by the Mayor of Halden, Fredrik Holm, who expressed pride over the establishment of the center outside of Oslo. "With the Rettsenteret, we fulfill principles of prevention with concrete content. It is the sum of such initiatives contributing to building our amazing local community," he stated.
Situated directly across from the local high school, the center's location was chosen to maximize accessibility for the young population of Halden. Ann-Charlott Kindblad, leader of Ung Arena, along with law student Dorthe Nordgård, is available to meet young individuals every Monday from 3 PM to 4 PM, encouraging youth to just "knock on the door" and engage with them about their problems.
Kindblad noted the center has also developed a dedicated website, enabling youth to reach out for help without the need to visit physically. Dorthe Nordgård encourages young people who may be hesitant to come forward, stating, "Use our website if you don’t wish to come to us physically. We are here." This modern approach to legal assistance aims to remove barriers and promote openness among young people seeking guidance.
The opening of the Halden Rettssenter marks the first expansion of its kind beyond Oslo, where it has already served over 6,000 individuals with personal rights information and witnessed around 90 volunteers contribute approximately 3,589 hours of service throughout the year. The ambitions of the Rettssenter extend beyond Halden, aiming to eventually establish branches across all municipalities, creating more accessible legal support statewide.
Cathrine Moksness, the center’s leader, initiated the idea to establish the Rettssenter after reaching out to her hometown community. She praised Halden's support, emphasizing the municipality's commitment to enhancing the legal security of its young residents. "Halden is a brave municipality, which has agreed to host the Rettssenter's first establishment outside Oslo. With this collaboration, the municipality is taking significant steps to improve legal security for young people here,” Moksness remarked.
A core goal of the Halden Rettssenter is to provide actual access to assistance when individuals find their rights compromised and the law failing them. The center advocates for children’s rights and acknowledges the discrepancies between having rights and the actual ability to exercise them. “It’s important to feel like you are not alone, and with supportive help, we can build communities where there are pathways out of chaos and difficulties,” Moksness added.
This development positions the Halden Rettssenter as not only a legal aid hub for youth but also as a community focal point aiming to promote awareness of children’s rights and legal education. The project is believed to be particularly significant for Halden, where many youth face challenges and struggles early on, which could lead them down uncertain paths. The Rettssenter is committed to using legal frameworks as tools to steer them back on track.
Rettssenteret plans to provide ambition and guidance, initially focusing on youth, but it has broader aspirations under the motto of "law for all." This means everyone, regardless of age, will receive help without high barriers or intimidating environments. Instead, the center emphasizes approachable staff and trained jurists who are comfortable to interact with.
The opening of the Halden Rettssenter for Legal Aid is more than just the launch of another community service; it embodies hope and provides real solutions for the youth of Halden, fostering both empowerment and security.