Within the framework of Operation Beta, which aims to prevent serious and deadly violence in close relationships, the police have reviewed 17 cases from 2023-2024 where women have been murdered by a close male relative.
In three of the cases, the police did not even file a complaint about the violence despite knowledge that violence had been committed, and in a couple of cases - as stated in the report - the women would have been alive if the police had not failed in their duties.
It is incredibly unacceptable that in 2025 we see these deficiencies in a police authority that has actually stated that they are investing in this type of crime, says Olga Persson, chairperson of the national association Unizon with 140 women's shelters around Sweden.
To read that women have had to die, that mothers have had to die, that grandmothers have had to die, that someone's daughter has had to die - a woman's life we never get back - it is so incredibly sad in a country that actually has good resources.
"Not the first report"
Jale Poljarevius, who leads Operation Beta, says that the police's attitude towards this type of crime must change, and the police have launched an action plan to improve the work in the area.
But as early as 2019, a long-term initiative was launched, under the name Initiative Gryning, where the police said they wanted to change attitudes and start prioritizing violence in close relationships.
It is not the first report that they make about the deficiencies that have been seen over time, it is not even the first report that shows all these extensive deficiencies. Now we hope that they take this self-criticism to heart and start acting on it. That they demand accountability, that managers and leaders follow up, says Olga Persson.
Crimes committed against women and children have the lowest status within the police authority and it is completely unacceptable.
No family matter
Olga Persson believes that the police must above all take the crimes more seriously.
It is not something that is a family matter with lower status that society should not interfere with. Attempted murder, rape, and strangulation are serious crimes and should be defined precisely as that.
