The special investigator Anna Ekstedt submitted the final report of the investigation into gender-based and honor-related violence to the government on Friday.
She proposes a comprehensive strategy for all forms of violence, including men's violence against women, violence in close relationships, honor-related violence and oppression, and exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking.
Another alternative, according to the directives, was to propose two strategies, where the part about honor-related violence and oppression is separated into its own strategy. Anna Ekstedt does not choose this path.
Scattered
We see that it is positive that the government wants to raise the work against honor-related violence and oppression, but we also see that it is important that such coordination does not become disconnected from the rest of the work, she says at a press conference.
Two different strategies could make the work scattered and difficult to manage, as the forms of crime often overlap, she believes.
Even though there are several criminal classifications when it comes to honor oppression, the protective legislation is largely the same. The administration is the same regardless of which form of violence one is exposed to.
Special Action Plan
On the other hand, the investigator proposes that a special action plan for honor-related violence and oppression be developed.
According to Minister for Gender Equality Paulina Brandberg (L), it is clear that the investigation shares the government's view that targeted measures are needed specifically for this problem.
The important thing is that we get measures that actually target this problem, she says.
Here, it's a problem where it's not a perpetrator and a victim, as in many other cases of violence in close relationships, but here it's a collective that exercises violence and oppression.
The government, however, makes a different assessment regarding the introduction of a new, seventh sub-goal in gender equality policy, focusing on work against honor crimes. The investigator does not think this is necessary, but it will happen, according to Brandberg,
From the government's side, we have landed in a different conclusion, that we believe we will succeed better if we put it in its own gender equality policy sub-goal.
The investigation also proposes, among other things, that a coordination center against violence be established at the Gender Equality Agency, and that several authorities be given permanent tasks in the area.
