Emergence of the Crime Victim: Sweden in a Scandinavian Context (From Crime and Justice in Scandinavia, P 555-611, Michael Tonry and Tapio Lappi-Seppala, eds. - See NCJ-242441)

• NCJ Number: 242451
• Author(s): Henrik Tham; Anita Ronneling; Lise-Lotte Rytterbro
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 57 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The crime victim has gained great prominence in political and public debates in Sweden.

Abstract

The crime victim has gained great prominence in political and public debates in Sweden. This fact is manifested in extensive legislation, establishment of a new government agency, and emergence of voluntary organizations. It is increasingly viewed as self-evident that the state has a responsibility toward victims of crime. In turn, crime victim discourse affects traditional legal principles such as rationales for punishment, equality before the law, and other legal safeguards. Crime victim policy in Sweden is particularly activist, even in the Scandinavian welfare state context. Examples include rape legislation, early prohibition of the purchase of sexual services, and extensive compensation to crime victims. Explanations include a culture that gives violation of integrity major prominence, attempts to find new tasks for the welfare state, a strong women's movement, and a highly developed politics of sexual equality. (Published Abstract)