The purpose of the Act is to strengthen the possibilities of asserting the rights of the child when a custodian or a person with whom the custodian has a close relationship is suspected of a crime against the child. The Act is aimed at improving the possibilities of investigating such criminal suspicions. Accordingly, its purpose is also to prevent the abuse of the child from continuing.

The proposal provides for a special representative to be appointed for the child in cases of this kind, subject to certain conditions. As proxy for the child's custodian, the special representative shall assert the rights of the child during the pre-trial investigation and in court. If the child has two custodians who are not married to each other or living together in a quasi-marital relationship, it shall be possible instead to appoint one of them to be the child's sole representative.

An attorney, a junior lawyer in a law office or some other person shall be appointed special representative. Only a person meeting special requirements of suitability may be appointed. An application for appointment shall be filed by the prosecutor with the district/city court. The court shall be empowered to make an interlocutory appointment without the knowledge of the custodians if this is presumably necessary in order for the rights of the child to be properly asserted. (Government Bill Prop. 1998/99:133).