Södertälje women's shelter reports rise in legal abuse

The women's shelter Kvinnojouren Annfrid in Södertälje reports a significant increase in "legal abuse" or judicial harassment over the past two years. Perpetrators are increasingly using legal and governmental systems, such as repeated reports to child welfare services, prolonged property division processes, and constant attempts to alter child custody arrangements, to maintain control and intimidate former partners.

Researchers from Uppsala University are participating in a three-year study titled "When the relationship has ended but the control does not cease – female victims' vulnerability and societal support" to improve understanding of this phenomenon. The project, funded by the Swedish Victim Support Authority (Brottsoffermyndigheten), aims to ensure that vulnerable women receive adequate victim support regardless of where they live in Sweden.