In his first thematic reportil Council of Europe Expert Group on combating violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) welcomed the Continued progress made by Sweden in preventing and combating violence against women in different fields. However, experts also point to areas where authorities should take urgent measures to fully comply to the Istanbul Convention.
GREVIO welcomes the continued progress made by Sweden in criminalizing behaviors and introducing obligations that often go beyond the rules of the Istanbul Convention, including the criminalization of “violation of the integrity of the child” and the fight against suicides linked to gender violence.
Furthermore, measures have been established to protect minors from forced marriages and prevent them from being taken abroad for this purpose or to be subjected to female genital mutilation.
Other notable measures include the inclusion of new rape legislation based on the absence of consent in mandatory sexuality education programmes.
Particularly significant is the impact of the 2018 rape reform on court practices, which specifically led to the effective prosecution of different types of rape, such as “surprise rape” and situations in which the victim remained passive, with a consequent increase in conviction rates.
While recognizing the progress made by Sweden in implementing the Convention, GREVIO expresses concern about the quality of training of professionals who play a key role, as much of the training is optional or provided with irregular frequency and often does not cover digital forms of violence against women.
Another aspect of concern is the scarcity of inter-institutional cooperation structures at local level for cases of domestic violence and the insufficient geographical distribution of reception centers for victims.
Finally, authorities should take the necessary measures to prevent violence in homes for young people and to harmonize data collection on all forms of violence against women and domestic violence between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the judicial system.
See comments submitted by the Swedish authorities
GREVIO and Sweden
What specific measures has Sweden implemented to safeguard minors from forced marriages and female genital mutilation, as recognized by GREVIO?
## Sweden Praised for Progress on Violence Against Women, But More Work Needed
**Stockholm, Sweden** – A recent report by the Council of Europe Expert Group on combating violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) commends Sweden’s continued efforts in tackling violence against women. While acknowledging significant strides, the report also highlights areas where Sweden needs to make urgent improvements to fully comply with the Istanbul Convention – a landmark treaty aimed atPreventing and Combating violence against women and domestic violence.
GREVIO’s first thematic report on Sweden, available [here](https://rm.coe.int/first-thematic-evaluation-report-on-building-trust-by-delivering-suppo/1680b29c62) , praises Sweden’s proactive approach in criminalizing behaviors and enacting measures exceeding the requirements set out by the Istanbul Convention. Specific examples include the criminalization of “violation of the integrity of the child” and robust initiatives to combat suicides linked to gender-based violence.
The report also applauds Sweden’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups. Measures have been established to safeguard minors from forced marriages, preventing their removal from the country for this purpose or subjecting them to female genital mutilation.
**Landmark Rape Reform Achieves Significant Outcomes**
One of the most notable achievements highlighted by GREVIO is the 2018 rape reform. This legislative update, which defines rape based on the absence of consent, has demonstrably impacted court practices. The reform has facilitated the successful prosecution of various types of rape, including “surprise rape” and instances where the victim remained passive. This, in turn, has resulted in a notable increase in conviction rates, signaling a positive shift in legal recognition and accountability for sexual violence.
**Call for Urgent Action on Remaining Gaps**
Despite the commendable progress, GREVIO emphasizes the need for further action on several fronts. While the report details specific recommendations, some key areas for improvement include:
* **Strengthening support services:** Ensuring comprehensive and easily accessible support systems for survivors of violence, covering a wider range of needs, including long-term psychological support and legal assistance.
* **Addressing discrimination and hate speech:** Implementing robust measures to combat gender-based discrimination and hate speech, fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe and respected.
* **Enhancing data collection:** Improving data collection and analysis on violence against women to gain a clearer understanding of the scope of the problem and inform targeted interventions.
GREVIO’s report underscores Sweden’s dedication to combating violence against women. While celebrating the significant achievements, it also serves as a roadmap for continued progress, urging Swedish authorities to implement comprehensive strategies to close the remaining gaps and ensure full compliance with the Istanbul Convention.
