To Örebro University

This study aimed to explore social workers’ shared experiences and perceptions of identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) and assessing the risk for re-victimization of such violence in a Swedish rural and remote context. Thirteen focus group interviews were conducted with social workers (N = 38) from 17 rural and remote municipalities and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: Challenges with identifying IPV, Varying risk assessment expertise, and Lack of practical utility of available risk assessment tools. Identifying IPV was challenging for many reasons, primarily due to a lack of routines and knowledge of IPV. These challenges were also perceived to extend to the assessment of risk for re-victimization. For example, the required knowledge of risk assessment practices was scarce, unevenly distributed, and difficult to maintain as IPV cases were rarely identified. The results are generally in line with previous studies. However, given that this study was conducted with professionals working in rural and remote areas, we also identified challenges unique to a sparsely populated context that are discussed.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of social workers and police officers in terms of risk management and inter- and intra-agency collaboration in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) in rural and remote areas in Sweden.

Method: Adopting an exploratory qualitative research design, 13 semi-structured focus group interviews with 38 social workers and six police officers from six rural and remote regions were conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic analyses.

Results: In relation to our informants’ work with risk management responses, two themes were identified related to barriers and possibilities. In terms of collaboration, two themes were identified in the data: barriers to inter- and intra-agency collaboration, and facilitators of inter- and intra-agency collaboration. Overall, the results of this study correspond to previous research. However, novel findings related to possibilities with risk management responses and collaboration specific to a rural and remote context.

Conclusions: The results of this study are discussed in terms of policy and practical implications for social workers and police officers in general and in relation to the unique context of rural and remote areas. As such, there is an incongruence between current urban-centric policies of IPV prevention and the specific structural and cultural characteristics of sparsely populated areas.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and stalking is a pervasive societal problem violating human rights, where every third woman reports being victimized. Such violence causes a major strain on both victims and society, where resources provided to reduce violence show low effect since both rates of prevalence and recidivism remains high and quality of life remains low for victims and their children, specifically in rural areas. The work to prevent such violence needs effective risk management, which currently is not the case.

The risk management conducted by social services in collaboration with the police is problematic since it is done from different perspectives in an unstructured way. The RiskSam is a structured risk management model developed to improve collaboration within and between agencies. The RiskSam provides the link between risk assessment and risk management.

The overall aim of this longitudinal research program (2019-2025) is to improve and implement a sustainable and evidence-based model, the RiskSam, within the Swedish social services, and to evaluate the effects of working with the model in terms of violence reduction, cost-effective collaboration with the police, and quality of life for victims, in cases of IPV and stalking with both a rural and child perspective. A theoretical development of theory based on the Risk-Need-Responsivity principle will be conducted.

The research program consists of a mixed method design divided into several sub-projects. In this symposium findings from four of them will be presented and discussed.

 Strand, Susanne(1)    Petersson, Joakim(1)    Källström, Åsa(1)    Larsson, Anna-Karin(1)    Vikander, Martina(2)    (1) Örebro University  (2) School pf Behavioral, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University 

This study explores the portrayal of girls engaged in violence within Swedish newspapers, focusing on contemporary representations in the media landscape. News media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions and norms, including those surrounding violence and gender. Analyzing media depictions of girls’ violence is crucial as it influences our understanding of gender norms and violence. We examined newspaper articles from 2021 to discern how violent girls were depicted, the portrayal of their actions, and whether they were given agency in the narratives. Utilizing gender theory with an intersectional lens, we scrutinized how Swedish media reported on and portrayed girls’ violence. Three key themes emerged: the characteristics of violent girls, the forms of violence, and explanations for their behavior. Notably, explanations for girls’ violence often focused narrowly on individual or relational factors, neglecting broader social contexts. Additionally, the girls were rarely given a platform to express their perspectives. Media portrayals positioned them as deviant from both feminine and violent norms, reinforcing societal stereotypes.

This qualitative study explores the opportunities and challenges of collaboration experienced by social workers and police officers when dealing with cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) and stalking. The study aims to examine their collaborative approaches in risk assessment and risk management by identifying the structures , supports, and foundations crucial for effective collaboration. Our data, collected from twelve interviews and one focus group interview with social workers and police officers, reveals that collaboration was facilitated by assigning specific roles to involved parties, proximity, structure and professionalism. These key factors emerged as crucial and contributing to the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts. Practitioners should consider integrating these key elements into their practices to enhance and improve collaboration when addressing cases of IPV and stalking. The study underscores the need for a well-defined framework and support structures to optimise the collaborative response to such complex and sensitive issues.

Given the profound consequences of post-separation violence on the well-being and quality of life of many women and children, protecting victims from further violence is a paramount concern. Understanding the complex challenges faced by women at risk for such violence is crucial for improving strategies for managing this risk and ensuring the safety of these women and children. In Sweden, access to society’s protective interventions often relies on the women actively seeking them. The aim of this study was to analyse the process of protection against post-separation violence as described by women with children in Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had experienced domestic violence and were assessed with low to moderate risk of revictimization. The interviews explored strategies they employed on their own and the risk management interventions they received. Through thematic analysis, we identified five themes: activating own safety strategies, seeking societal protection, utilizing societal protection, bridging gaps in societal protection, and resigning to live unprotected. Together, they form a process of protection characterized by mothers employing numerous strategies at different phases to safeguard themselves and their children, relying on their own initiative as well as the assistance offered by society. However, despite these efforts, some mothers and children remained unprotected and were obligated to resign to live with post-separation violence. This study underscores the extensive demands placed on women subjected to violence, despite the presence of relatively strong legal rights and a well-developed societal system.