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  Previous measures to combat violence against women

http://www.kvinnofrid.gov.se/regeringen/tidseng.htm

Efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women have had high priority in Sweden in recent years and various measures have been implemented to this end. They include preventive measures, stricter penalties, procedural improvements and better support for women victims of violence.

Some milestones

1965 Rape in marriage is forbidden.

1982 Changes in the rules concerning prosecution for battering and rape so that prosecution no longer is dependent on an accusation being made by the person subjected to the offence. Anyone who receives information about such an offence can report it to the police, thus marking that these offences are not a private matter betweeen the parties involved.

1984 Reformation of the sexual crimes in the Penal Code. The definition of rape is widened to comprise also oral and anal intercourse as well as intercourse between homosexuals. In addition, also men can be the victims of rape committed by a female perpetrator. It is made clear that the behaviour of the victim prior to the rape is irrelevant. The provisions concerning procuring are strengthened.

1988 Law on Restraining orders is introduced in the Penal code. This law has since been strenghtened. The law is presently being subject to an evaluation.

The Injured Party’s Counsel Act is introduced. Under this Act the victim of a crime of violence is entitled to free legal counsel during police investigation and trial. In 1991 and 1994 the possibilities of getting free legal aid was extended. The law is presently being subject to an evaluation.

1991 Rules on sexual harassment in working life are introduced in the Equal Opportunities Act.

A nation wide training of personnel in the judiciary, the social services and the health care system is launched. The training, with the purpose of increasing the knowledge on issues related to violence against women - its causes and consequences, is given to appr. 20.000 persons.

Projects are launched for a better cooperation between the police, the social services and other relevant parties at regional level

Every police station in Sweden is equipped with so called alarm kits which can be given to threatened women free of charge. These kits consist, inter alia, of alarm systems for the home, mobile telephones etc.

The possibility for severely threatened women to receive body guards, free of charge, is introduced on a trial basis. This possibility is now permanent.

A Chair in sociology - in particular violence against women - is introduced at the university of Uppsala, north of Stockholm, financed via the State budget.

1993 The punishment for battering, molestation, sexual molestation and unlawful threat is increased.

1994 A National Centre for raped and abused women is set up. The aim is to receive and treat women who are victims of abuse, rape etc. and to contribute to a better treatment of such patients within the health care system. This means that the Centre is also involved in development work, in research and in training etc. The Centre is available around the clock.

1995 The punishment for gross sexual exploitation is increased. The definition of sexual molestation is widened.

1998 The government presents a Bill to Parliament on violence against women. The Bill comprises, inter alia, new legislation, changes in existing legislation, measures for a more effective work within the police, the prosecution and the social services and increased financial support to the shelters.