Civilkurage mot våld i nära relationer? En rättssociologisk studie om initiativet Huskurage

Sammanfattning: This paper sought to examine the experiences of an intimate partner violence policy, created in order to spread both awareness and implications to act among residents of apartment communities. The initiative, called Huskurage, has been introduced in a Swedish crime prevention context. When implemented, the policy engages neighbors to look out for each other. Our study scrutinizes the experiences of people with knowledge and understanding of said policy, in relation to Marcus Felson and Lawrence Cohens routine activity approach as well as Håkan Hydén’s theory of norms. Intimate partner violence is a prevalent problem, with no recognizable connection to socioeconomic status amongst those who are affected by it. By challenging social norms and urging people to engage in civil courage behavior the purpose of Huskurage is to save lives. Through a qualitative approach consisting of interviews with people with experience of the policy, we arrive at the conclusion that Huskurage provides a method with potential to lead to societal change. The interviewees described the ways in which Huskurage is being organized within the apartment communities, reflecting upon its preventive function as well as what it would take to thoroughly implement it with regard to affiliation among neighbors. To sum up, our study provides insight to civil courage as crime prevention through active bystander behavior, by looking at the experience and commitment of those affected at a more profound level.