The power of stories: an analysis of newspaper articles about the awareness and handling of child sexual abuse of Sámi people in a small community in Norway

This article explores how newspaper articles reflect the local authority’s awareness and handling of child sexual abuse challenges for Sámi people in a small community in Norway, as well as the implications of these reflections. We have analysed 58 newspaper articles using document and reflexive thematic analysis. We employ Foucault’s framework and Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) to explore power and stories. The findings address the local authority’s long-standing awareness of child sexual abuse (CSA) challenges, and a handling that may have reinforced distrust, and hindered Sámis from seeking help or accessing adequate support. Understanding mechanisms that may hinder help in CSA is crucial, as they create barriers to support and resources.