Helene was raped by her colleague in 2019. She reported him and two years later he was convicted. – For my part, the punishment is not so important, but the fact that I was prioritized, heard and believed. That was the most important thing for me. But Helene’s story belongs to the rarity. Very few people who are subjected to rape choose to report it, and of those who report it, most cases are dropped. This is shown by a recent report from the rape committee. Helene is sure why those who are exposed do not seek out the police and health services: – That it is not taken seriously. No one takes action, you are not heard. Helene herself was afraid of not being believed when she told about the abuse. Photo: Tariq Alisubh / news And this is not too far from the conclusion the rape committee has reached. In a recent report, both the police, the prosecution and the government receive strong criticism. The report is delivered to the Minister of Justice on Women’s Day on 8 March. It is not accidental. A great many women in Norway have been victims of rape. A survey from 2023 shows that one in five women has been raped. – These are dangerous, scary numbers. There are things that happen that shouldn’t happen at all, says Helene. The report agrees: “The large scale makes rape a public health problem and a barrier to equality” The number of reported rapes has increased drastically in recent years. At the same time, the committee points out that extensive surveys show a marked increase in the number who say they have been subjected to rape. Although it cannot be concluded whether the entire increase is real or due to increased reporting, the committee says there is reason to believe that at least parts of the increase are real. Human rights are challenged The committee has been tasked with looking at how people exposed to abuse are taken care of, both in the aid system and through a possible criminal case. This is the first review of society’s efforts against rape since 2008. More people seek help centers such as the resource center Dixi. But many do not seek help after abuse. It reveals major shortcomings: “(…) the investigation shows that the human rights of rape victims are challenged in Norway today” – It is the case that we are required as authorities to work to prevent, prevent and help women exposed to violence, including rape. We are not fulfilling that in a good enough way, says committee leader Ole Henrik Augestad. Key point from the report In its investigation, the Committee has found that rape constitutes a social challenge and a significant public health problem. , or through targeted measures to prevent and combat rape. The Committee believes that there is an increase in the extent of rape. Although it cannot be concluded whether the entire increase is real or due to increased reporting, there is reason to believe that at least parts of the increase are real. The fewest rape cases are reported, and the vast majority of rape cases end with the prosecutor’s office dismissing them or an acquittal in the court. an unsolved societal problem – Resignation Augestad is the municipality’s chief physician in Sandefjord and medically responsible for the abuse center in Vestfold. He is unimpressed by the work being done against rape. – It requires a collective effort. We see that it is difficult to have over a long period of time. There is perhaps a certain degree of resignation in that. Ole Henrik Augestad heads the rape committee. Photo: Torbjørn Brovold / news Because the numbers are bleak. And according to the report, there are no signs that the authorities are trying to take action: “(…) Neither through attempts to uncover why so many girls and women in Norway are subjected to rape, nor through targeted measures to prevent and combat rape. » Augestad points out that action plans have been put in place, investigations have been prioritized and there has been a focus on abuse centers and children’s homes. – But the overall big effort, we don’t see that. Then we have to say that in reality this is not a priority area. What is a rape? Rape is when someone: acquires sexual intercourse through violence or threatening behavior has sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act through violence or threatening behavior causes someone to have sexual intercourse with another, or to perform actions that correspond to sexual intercourse with oneself. All sexual intercourse with children under the age of 14 is rape. This also applies to certain sexual acts. Sources: Dinutvei.no/Politiet.no Because even if something is invested in at times, a lot is de-prioritized. Augestad points to the dissolution of the large professional circles. The central professional capacities that were at Kripos have been reduced. There are indications that the clearance rate for abuse against adults is falling, and that the quality of the investigation is not high enough. – So after several decades of working against rape, the result is that the number of rapes increases? – At least there are no signs that it is decreasing, and we have good reason to believe that there is a real increase, yes. Supervisor at Dixi Heidi Helene Sveen has conversations with women who are victims of abuse. Photo: Helge Tvedten / news Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) and Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) do not want to comment on the report until they have received it. Nor will Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland comment on the report until she has read it. During the presentation, Mehl thanked the committee. – It must be safe to be a woman in Norway, both in public space and at home. – The government is working on a revision of the penal code, and a consent act. The minister says they will come back with a proposal to the Storting. Believes that the culture can develop At the resource center Dixi, they offer talks to those exposed to abuse and their relatives. Supervisor Heidi Helene Sveen says they recognize themselves in the report. – It is difficult to reach out and get the authorities to understand how big a problem this is. She says that a lot of the right things are said by politicians, and the authorities in general, but that it is not reflected in politics. Sveen wonders if they don’t understand the seriousness of it. – If you understand how serious this is, especially for the young people who are affected by rape, then it is very strange that it is not followed up with action. At Dixi, they use cards to put feelings into words. Photo: Helge Tvedten / news Because the report shows that half of all rapes occur before a person has turned 18. – I think the situation is more precarious and serious than it has ever been. She believes that it is especially in the prevention work that is failing. – Soon some politicians will have to take it seriously and decide that systematic prevention work should be carried out in schools. The committee will do the same. They propose a large multi-year attitude campaign and compare it to the authorities’ smoking cessation campaigns at the beginning of the 2000s. This is in addition to proposals for better sex education in school. But as long as you don’t have this kind of measures and attitude campaigns, things look dark, according to Sveen. – Then this culture with lots of abuse among young people is allowed to develop in peace, unfortunately.
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A public health problem – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
