Two years ago, Nathalie Bergström lost her mother, who was murdered by her partner.
On Thursday, the government announced that they are gathering forces against men’s violence against women with a 132-point action program.
– Clearer support is needed for what to do as a relative of a person who is exposed to violence in a close relationship, says Nathalie.
Nathalie Bergström lost her mother two years ago and the grief has been tough to deal with since her death. It was the mother’s partner who murdered her.
– I can still see her in front of me as the exuberant woman she was. It’s a bit sad still close to the holidays. Mother was very family-oriented and often coordinated these dinners that the family celebrates together, says Nathalie.
She testifies that it is difficult to know how to proceed as a relative of someone you suspect is being subjected to violence in a close relationship.
– It was very clear that it was difficult to get that help. There were so many people who were already involved with the police and they couldn’t do anything and then it was difficult to know what to do as a relative.
“So far, I don’t think enough has been done”
On Thursday, the government announced during a press conference that it is investing in a new action program to help women subjected to violence in close relationships. Among other things, a “leaving program” was presented to provide psychological and financial support as well as help with housing to those who want to leave a destructive relationship.
Nathalie Bergström is positive about the government’s action programme.
– Of course, it is very important that you focus on it, there has been a lot of focus on gang crime. So far, I don’t think enough has been done and I think this could help, she says and continues:
– A large part of why women do not dare to leave is that there is no safety net or something to catch them, so it depends on how developed the safety net is. It can’t get any worse than today anyway, says Nathalie Bergström.
Women especially vulnerable
Last year, 37,908 cases of assault were reported where the victim was known to the perpetrator, according to statistics from The Crime Prevention Council (Brå). In 81 percent of the cases involving adult women, the perpetrator was an acquaintance.
Brå’s figures also indicate that the group where the largest proportion have been exposed to violence in a close relationship are women aged 18 to 24. There, 30 percent state that they were exposed in 2022.