the women’s shelter Kerstin Lidingö is located in the secret premises on the island east of Stockholm. Here are working 20 employees on a volunteer basis with counselling, prevention, and advocacy. Ingegerd Smedensjö, which is engaged in the service, tells us that the stories that Jenny Lindegrens is not unusual.
” It begins as an ordinary love, when you see the most beautiful of each other. Often will jealousy early on, and the man becomes more increasingly controlling. It can show itself in that he wants to influence which one to associate with. Isoleringsfasen is then often in the threats and acts of violence that escalate over time.
” We meet women who had to undergo multiple surgeries in order to become so smitten. There we read of the Josefin Nilsson is terrible, but for many women, it is everyday life.
2017, the more vulnerable and the relatives contacted the authorities about relationsvåld. 2018: 7.500 polisanmälningar in the Stockholm region, a ten percent increase compared with the year before. More exposed women have also been in contact with social services in the city of Stockholm – from 1.849 women 2017, 2.144 in the last year.
at Least 2.144 women were so sexual, physical, economic or psychological violence in Stockholm last year, says the city of Stockholm.
the Violence came to the fore once again after the documentary about the Josefin Nilsson in the Swedish television, SVT. Last weekend honored the hundreds of people, the late singer with a ljusmanifestation on Östermalm. Of 8,500 people have signed a petition against the workplace where the man who assaulted her at work.
has noticed increased interest the last time, ” says Ingegerd Smedensjö. In the years they have had 28 so-called support contacts, conversations with women or relatives. In the last year, they had three contacts during the same period.
” last year we Already had more than twice as many support contacts compared with the year before. This year we have had an information campaign and we have seen a substantial increase in the number of as heard from.
The national organization for women’s shelters and young in Sweden, Roks, are experiencing something similar.
” I talked with the two officers, as is known, of the increased pressure in the last few days. As a national organization, we have also seen a marked increase in donations. A man donated $ 20,000 on a board, ” says Jenny Westerstrand, chairman of the Roks.
there are four municipal relationsvåldscentrum, where both vulnerable women and the aggressors are able to hear. They have also noticed an increase.
” I have had indications of it. But we have also had a campaign in social media during the spring. There are no differences where it is happening and what comes to the socio-economic background, culture or age. Violence is found in all walks of life, ” says Marie Haesert, an investigator in the city of Stockholm.
“the Increase is probably linked to the more dare to report, and it does not necessarily mean that more people are vulnerable today,” she continues.
Ingegerd Smedensjö believe that it is important to act if you see something ominous.
– First and foremost, this is a matter for the politicians. But civil society also have a responsibility. This happens around us daily and we must not turn a blind eye to it. If you hear a loud scream from grannlägenheten or heavy dunsar, so shall you dare to act, ” says Ingegerd Smedensjö.
do by asking the woman if everything is correct at home or knock on if you suspect that she is exposed to violence. If it seems urgent you should call 112, ” she explains.
According to Ingegerd Smedensjö it is a prejudice that it would only be to leave the man.
– the threat is often serious, and the woman is most vulnerable when she tries to leave the man. They can also be targeted against the family and against children. If there are children in the picture can be the woman’s only opportunity to protect them to remain in the relationship. But the violence and threats will also be normalized gradually.
