Swedish Police Admit Past Failures, Adopt New Tactics to Combat Domestic Violence

Sweden's national police chief, Petra Lundh, has acknowledged that law enforcement historically failed to adequately address domestic violence. Lundh emphasized the need for humility in accepting past shortcomings, highlighting the importance of a more serious approach going forward. Concurrently, police reports of domestic violence have risen by 13% in the past year, with preliminary investigations handed over to prosecutors increasing by 22% since 2023. This surge is partly credited to revamped policing methods focusing on offenders rather than only supporting victims.

Local initiatives, such as in Sollentuna led by police inspector Martin Marmgren, involve maintaining an active list of risk individuals for targeted and proactive interventions. These include home visits and heightened police visibility aimed at deterring violence. Marmgren noted that many offenders respond positively to police attention, helping reduce violent incidents. The police also categorize potential perpetrators into four risk types to tailor their interventions effectively.

Lundh referenced a report by Brå indicating that 13.6% of the Swedish population experienced domestic violence in 2022—over a million people—yet only about 20,000 cases were reported, suggesting a substantial hidden figure. Efforts are underway to encourage more victims to come forward and strengthen support networks around them.

These developments mark a significant shift in Sweden's approach to combating domestic violence by combining offender-focused policing with enhanced victim support.