With a focus on violence prevention

During the conference, the agency highlighted the life situation of women and children exposed to violence who live with protected personal information and the need for authorities to develop their support and approach.

– We took our interview study with women and children as a point of departure. We also presented some conclusions and actions. We emphasised the importance of better long-term support, said Sophie Nilsson, investigator at the agency and who was present in Iceland.

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency was one of the few actors that raised awareness about the group living with protected personal information.

– Together with other Swedish governmental agencies, we played a role in highlighting the perspectives of those who are vulnerable, said Matilda Eriksson, an investigator at the agency.

We also presented our report "Abducted Children and Youth, which is based on an interview study with professionals. The study was conducted as part of our government assignment in this area.

– In this assignment, we identified risk factors before abductions and interventions before and after the abduction. Based on this, we highlighted the shortcomings we have identified regarding, among other things, threat and risk assessments, interventions, procedures, and knowledge about honour-related violence and oppression, explained Matilda Eriksson and Madelene Larsson, investigators at the agency.

Investigator Katarina Eman Risberg was also present in Iceland to participate in the conference and focused on the principles of violence prevention work and how the agency has structured its efforts.

– We placed extra emphasis on the importance of a broad perspective on violence and a gender-transformative approach, how we define men’s violence against women, and what violence prevention work can look like.

Are there any lessons to be learned from participating in the conference?

– That it is not yet an established field of knowledge; our workshop was the only one focused on structured violence prevention work, said Katarina Eman Risberg.

Learn more about violence prevention