– We shouldn’t have it this way, women shouldn’t live in this fear. This is what Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says. During the first week of 2024, there have been a number of murders in Norway. In several of the cases, persons in close relations with the killed are targeted. – It makes a deep impression, is shocking and I think a lot of people in Norway have followed this with horror. Now he is announcing concrete measures to combat violence, and murder, in close relationships. The five murders so far in 2024 On New Year’s Day, three people were found dead in Sørfold municipality. Police believe a teenager killed his mother and stepfather before taking his own life. On 2 January, two people died from gunshot wounds in a car in Elverum. A man is accused of murdering a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. He also took his own life. Later the same day, a man was found dead in Stavern. A woman, the man’s roommate, is accused of murder, but she is also missing. On the night of 7 January, a woman was found dead in a hotel in Gudbrandsdalen. A man is accused of murder. On the morning of January 7, human remains were found in a burnt-out car in Øygarden. A man is arrested and charged with murder. Reverse violence alarm – In the deepest sense, this is about attitudes and safety, and the ability to prevent this from happening. And we are now fully aware of that both from a political point of view and in the police, says Støre. – But at least one of the women had asked for a violence alarm, and had not received it, while another woman had. Isn’t it very serious that this could still happen? – Yes, we have to go through each case and see if mistakes have been made along the way. I cannot conclude this, he says. Støre says the violence alarm should provide security, but believes it is unreasonable that it is the woman who is exposed to a threat who must sound the alarm. – That may be correct in some cases, but we have got the Storting on board with a reverse power alarm. This means that the person you fear violence from must raise an alarm that limits where the person concerned can move. All legislative decisions have now been made, and we wish to roll this out as soon as possible. This is what a reverse force alarm looks like. Photo: The police’s IT service Today, the reverse violence alarm can only be used after a violent conviction. It is the court that must decide whether a reverse force alarm is to be used in each individual case. In November last year, the Storting adopted changes to the legislation, which facilitate the increased use of reverse force alarms. Among other things, the prosecution can decide whether a reverse violence alarm is to be used, without going through the court. The change comes into force on 1 July. Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl also believes that reverse force alarms must be used more. – I think the most important thing is that we ensure that women are safe. – Why doesn’t the change happen before 1 July? – Now we must work as quickly as possible. The change must be implemented in the police, correctional services and all those who are out there doing the job in practice. Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl. Photo: William Jobling / news Set up “partner homicide commission” Only in 105 out of 232 cases has a reverse violence alarm been granted since the scheme was introduced in 2013. When asked if the increased use of reverse violence alarms is enough, Støre replies: – We have to have a lot more of that, and then we have to learn from experience. Now we will set up a so-called partner murder commission which will go through all the knowledge from these monstrous murders that happen in close relationships in order to learn from it. The commission will draw on experience from elected officials in close relationships and look at background and patterns. The aim is better prevention and protection. – We must never forget that there are many lessons to be learned from what has happened.
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Reverse violence alarm and own commission for partner murder – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
