The Gender Equality Agency report indicates that 20% of men in Sweden have been exposed to violence in close relationships at some point in their lives. Last week, the non-profit association Mansfrid Sverige met with police in Örebro to address this issue, with the purpose including giving police new perspectives, according to officials. According to SVT Örebro, Magnus Falkman, a representative of Mansfrid Sverige, described that men who are exposed to violence have a harder time getting support and help, and he noted a lack of knowledge about men's exposure.
Officials also pointed to one problem being the dark figure among violence-exposed individuals, referring to unreported cases. After the meeting, according to SVT Örebro, Lars Wirèn, the police area chief in Örebro County, described that the dark figure for violence-exposed men is probably larger than for violence-exposed women, and he emphasized the need to take that to heart. The exact size or methodology behind this dark figure estimate remains unclear, and it is unknown what specific actions police plan to implement or whether any immediate policy changes are planned to address the support gap.
Men who are exposed to violence have a harder time getting support and help.
There is a lack of knowledge about men's exposure.
After today's meeting, I can state that the dark figure when it comes to violence-exposed men is probably larger than when it comes to violence-exposed women.
We need to take that to heart.