In many of our investigations, we sometimes have difficulty reaching our goals. We believe that we will be able to reduce the hidden number of violence that occurs, says Verner Viking at the police.
The new law on psychological violence came into effect on July 1.
The law means that a person who repeatedly offends or harms someone over time risks a prison sentence of up to four years.
Unlike other laws, this one is different in that it is not always entirely clear when a crime has occurred. An event may not constitute a crime when it is committed once, but rather repeatedly.
“More acts punishable”
Verner Viking, deputy head of the section for crimes in close relationships at the North Police District, says that the law will likely result in more reports. The police want to use the new law to address what previously was just outside the scope of what was punishable - which should lead to a reduction in the number of unreported cases, he says.
We already have unlawful threats, unlawful coercion and surveillance, but here it is broadened so that more acts can become punishable, mainly if they occur repeatedly.
Psychological violence is a social problem and is often part of intimate partner violence and men's violence against women. However, the new law is intended to reach more people.
It can be about relationships between young people who may not have been together for a long time. It can be in workplaces, in sports clubs and in schools.
The challenges
There are also challenges with the new regulations, according to Viking.
The police have limited resources, especially in the areas of relations. We are already under high pressure.
Initially, there is also no clear case law. It remains for the police to see how the prosecutors and the court will ultimately judge, he adds.
The law is technology neutral, meaning that the police will use phones, chats, pictures, videos, and more to gather evidence.
The new law on psychological violence aims to broaden the concepts and make more acts punishable. In this way, the police will be able to address what was previously outside of what was punishable. These acts include undue threat, undue coercion, undue surveillance, and repeatedly subjecting someone to violations in the form of derogatory statements or humiliating behavior.
The law came into effect on July 1 and anyone found guilty of the crime risks imprisonment for anywhere from one month to four years. In cases where violations have occurred more frequently and over a longer period of time, the penalty will be higher.
The crime is a so-called species crime, which means that imprisonment should be the first choice when determining the punishment.
Source: Government Offices
