Feeling safe and respected highly important to victims of domestic violence

The inquiry is part of the evaluation of Project Karin, a cooperation project between Skåne County Police and The city of Malmö where women exposed to violence and their children can meet the police, social counselors, gynecologists and forensic specialists in a quiet and safe environment. Project Karins activities, whose purpose is to respond to the previously known deficiencies in caring for victims of crime, is designed around the needs of the woman and is intended to become a national model for combating domestic violence.

- What we can see is that the majority of respondents are satisfied with the response for the complaint notification, but about one third feel that they has been poorly treated, "says  sociologist Annika Rejmer who is leading the evaluation.

- Forty percent of women have experienced the police interview situation as stressful, but a calm environment and enough time to tell is important. The good news is that over 80 percent of the women questioned felt that they had been listened to, believed and treated with respect. One group, however, felt that the policeman questioning them did not show enough compassion and helpfulness.

Three out of ten women calls for better information on the help provided by the police and the City of Malmö and a closer interaction between the involved authorities. Contact should also be made with the Employment and Social Insurance authorities since many womens situation in the workplace is also affected.

The physical environment is perceived as very important in the context of the interview and investigation. It should be comfortable, clean and safe and offer something to do for accompanying children.

The 10 depth interviews conducted in the fall was held in the Project Karins premises and all the respondents highlighted the importance of being interviewed in a nice and calm environment. All have appreciated the premises and the interior design of the Project Karin.

Another important improvement area is health care.

- A couple of women have experienced that their contact with health care personnel have not worked. There has been no understanding and empathy and knowledge of how important it is to document the resulting damage, "says Annika Rejmer.

In the spring, a new survey and interviews in which violence affected women and children who had access to Project Karin may give their comments.