Government Initiatives to Improve Efforts against Rape

Brief Description

In 2016, the penalty for rape was increased with an average of one year, and the Government launched a number of initiatives to improve the efforts against rape, including guidelines for the police on how to receive and handle rape cases. The national police has set up an expert group of investigators and prosecutors who will contribute to developing the guidelines and an advisory forum where the police meet with organizations that deal with victims of rape. 

In 2018, the 72-hour police notice victim compensation deadline was repealed, which a victim of rape or incest usually has to comply with in order to apply for victim compensation. Furthermore, the compensation to victims in all cases of sexual assault offenses was increased by approx. one third. 

Additionally, in 2018, the Minister of Justice appointed a panel of experts within the area of sexual assault and abuse in order to gain further knowledge and recommendations within the area. The panel is expected to provide its recommendations regularly in the spring of 2019.