– It is a completely different world. Now I can finally go on the subway without scouting around or looking over my shoulder, says Vibeke. It has been three years since she told news about how she felt watched and persecuted by a neighbour. Vibeke told her that he could rush out of her apartment if she went out, wait for her at the subway stop or show up at a store she was shopping at on the other side of town. The neighbor dismissed the accusations, calling it “some damned nonsense”. Vibeke believes the man has been stalking her for 17 years. She has reported him several times – for the first time ten years ago. But the police have not given him a restraining order. Before now. Took two days At the end of August, Vibeke got the help of a lawyer for the first time to submit a new report. If they received another refusal, they were ready to take the case to court. Two days later, she received a phone call from the police. The criminal case had been dropped on the state of the evidence. But they had nevertheless been at the man’s home and given him a restraining order. This means that he cannot seek out, pursue or in any way contact Vibeke. The man accepted it on the spot. For Vibeke, it has been a great relief. She has not seen the man since the restraining order came into effect. – I don’t have to spend a lot of thought on how to avoid him in everyday life, says Vibeke. This autumn, Vibeke has used the main entrance door of the block she lives in. It has been years since the last time. Usually she has gone out the back way Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news Her lawyer Knut Brindem finds it strange that Vibeke has received several rejections over the years. – What do you think is the reason why she is granted a restraining order now? – I have wondered about that a lot. I hope it’s not because the petition came via a lawyer. It would be a shame if victims are dependent on legal assistance in a case where there is a justified need for a restraining order. Especially since cases like this are not covered by the scheme with legal assistance paid by the public sector, says Brindem. – A form of protection Police attorney Maren Myklebust Moe in the Oslo police district tells news that the long history of the case came into play when she made a decision. – Even if the criminal case is dismissed on the basis of the evidence, it is desirable to give her some form of protection so that there is no unwanted contact between the two. You will not be able to avoid all contact, but this may help to reduce some of her feeling of insecurity, she says. Moe has not been involved in the previous rejections Vibeke has received, but points out that one of the difficult assessments has been the enforcement of restraining orders when those involved live in the same neighbourhood. – But what is fulfilled now that has not been fulfilled before? – From my side, it is about the fact that there have been so many cases that a restraining order can reduce some of the pressure on her, says Moe. news has been in contact with the man who has been banned from visiting. He denies that he has done what he is accused of. Beyond that, he does not want to comment on the matter. Legislative change is long overdue A ten-year-old study shows that one in eight women in Norway experiences some form of stalking during their lifetime. In 2016, an addition was introduced in the Criminal Code, the so-called stalking clause, which was supposed to prevent personal persecution. But that only applies if you actually discover the stalking. According to a judgment from the Supreme Court in 2019, so-called “sneak stalking” is not affected by the section. In 2021, a proposal was sent out for consultation to make covert stalking a criminal offence. But the law has not been changed. news has been in contact with the Ministry of Justice, which states that they are working on the case, but that they cannot say when they have finished. Glad to have been believed The restraining order expires in February. Vibeke can then ask for an extension, which the police must reassess. She thinks a lot about what will happen after that. But at the same time, she tries to be happy that she has finally been heard. Vibeke has spent a lot of time indoors to avoid her neighbour. Now she hopes that she can move more freely going forward. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news – What do you think that it has taken so many years? – It is absolutely terrible, and I think about it every time I read in the media about women who are not taken seriously. Why does it have to take so long? It’s not exactly something you invent because it’s fun, says Vibeke. Published 03.11.2024, at 16.41
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Vibeke reported stalking again and again – was granted a restraining order after 10 years – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
