The case in summary Psychologist Pål Grøndahl believes that family murders shock us because they affect the innocent and because we cannot predict them. Perpetrators of family murders are often men in crisis, who are unable to deal with negative emotions or life disasters. Grøndahl believes that prevention, such as taking it seriously when someone seeks help, is important to prevent such murders. Christmas can escalate existing problems in families, especially where there is already violence. Unlike partner murder, which often has many warning lights in advance, there are often no such “red flags” in family homicide. Grøndahl denies that there is a contagion effect between murders, and emphasizes that there are not many partner and family murders in Norway. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – Remember that Norway is a very peaceful society. Therefore, these murders affect us quite a lot, says psychologist Pål Grøndahl. On Thursday night, a woman in her 30s was found murdered in a house in Gjerdrum. The woman’s husband has been arrested for the murder. And for attempted murder against the couple’s kindergarten-age daughter. He has pleaded guilty. The man’s defender says he explains the actions with break-ups and financial problems. Poor crisis management Psychologist Grøndahl has written a book about murder. And in February, he answered news’s readers about murder in close relationships. According to him, there is one thing in particular that is repeated in all these cases: the perpetrator, mostly a man, is in a crisis. For example, that the partner will leave them. Or large debts and financial problems. Most of us can cope with such crises. – While there are some who have so much in their luggage that they are unable to handle that crisis there. That the person in question leaves you, or that you lose face by not being able to handle the financial burden. Or that there are other conditions that cause you to react dysfunctionally, as we call it, says Grøndahl. – We must start earlier, preventively, take seriously those who report that they need help. And don’t close shelters, says psychologist Pål Grøndahl. Photo: Roy Kenneth Sydnes Jacobsen / news They simply haven’t learned to deal with bad feelings and disasters in life, the psychologist believes. He believes the most important thing you can do to prevent such murders is prevention. Take it seriously when someone seeks help. And make sure they get it. – For example, I think it is hair-raising to hear that shelters are being closed down because of poor access to money in municipalities. Because they are incredibly important in being able to prevent fatal incidents. Holidays difficult Christmas is approaching. The family holiday of all family holidays. But Christmas is not as idyllic for all families. On New Year’s Eve last year, a 19-year-old killed his mother and stepfather, before taking his own life. Christmas can escalate problems that are already there, believes researcher and psychologist Gertrud Sofie Hafstad. – What is special about Christmas, perhaps especially for those families where there is already violence, is that it is a time when you are more together. There is often a higher alcohol intake, she says. Those who struggle can struggle extra at Christmas, according to a researcher and psychologist. Photo: Bjørnar Morønning / news It can increase tensions. And for some, things can seem extra bleak at Christmas – when society tells you to have a good time and enjoy yourself. – Now we don’t know if there is an increase in violence during the holidays, but we do know that there is greater access to help services such as the emergency telephone or various types of helplines, says Hafstad. – So we assume that something is happening there, which may be due to this dynamic. Differs from partner murder This year, 34 people have been killed in Norway. Just over half of the victims are men. While 9 out of 10 of the perpetrators are. And where men are killed to a greater extent by acquaintances, women are mostly killed by a close relationship. For example, a boyfriend, husband – or an ex. And in so-called “partner murder” there are often many warning lights in advance, according to Grøndahl: – It is that some have been previously convicted. They have had some alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness, witnessed violence. – And not least that they have previously used violence in the relationship. That’s often a red flag. Whereas for family homicides – such as cases where parents kill children, or vice versa – the situation is different. There are often no such “red flags”. – Can’t predict them According to Grøndahl, such murders are often committed by people who have not been convicted before. Who has not committed violence, or been intoxicated. They have worked in everyday life. Simply acted like quite ordinary people. – And then they have reacted violently to some crisis which you don’t always necessarily get hold of afterwards. This is part of the reason why exactly these murders are so shocking, he believes. Because people don’t see it coming. Often those who know the perpetrator remain in disbelief. – These murders… we cannot predict them, says Grøndahl. For most people, it is completely incomprehensible that an apparently “ordinary” person can do something like this, he says. – It affects innocent people. We have difficulty understanding what could make a person take the life of their partner, their children and even their pet. Rejects contagion effect At the beginning of the year, Kripos sounded the alarm about the murder figures. And the highest number of partner and family murders in ten years. But even though it may be easy to think so, there is little evidence of a contagion effect, Grøndahl believes. And the research agrees. It is not possible to prove that such murders are “contagious”, or inspiring. But we humans look for patterns, and therefore we believe, for example, that murders shortly after each other must be connected, according to the psychologist. – Remember, after that, let’s call it the wave, in January, early in the year, it was quiet. A good while. And then we haven’t had similarly serious incidents for several months, says Grøndahl. Violence in the relationship is a clear red flag, according to psychologist Grøndahl. He advises those who want to leave abusive relationships to seek help, so they are not alone. Photo: Siv Kristin Sællmann / news So-called “waves of murder” can occur every few years, but history shows that fortunately it is short-lived, says Grøndahl. He emphasizes that it is not the case that there are many partner and family murders in Norway. – It seems as if we have an awful lot of partner murders in Norway, but we don’t. We have few murders, but the proportion of partner murders is quite a lot of the few murders. Do you need help? Dinutvei.no has a question and answer service about violence in close relationships, rape and other sexual abuse. The service is operated by the National Knowledge Center on Violence and Traumatic Stress. Crisis center where you live: Find your crisis center Support center for those at risk of crime Call: 800 40 008 The support centers are a collaborative initiative between the police districts and selected host municipalities. When you call, you get to the center in your police district. Acute suicide risk? Call 113 when it is urgent and your life is at stake. Call the emergency room on tel. 116117 for immediate help. You can also talk to your GP. Source: Directorate of Health and the police Published 13.12.2024, at 09.18
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