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"Real Sexual Harassment": Attrition Among Police-Reported Sexual Molestation Crimes in Sweden
Linnea Wegerstad1, Ulrika Andersson1
1Faculty of Law, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Violence Against Women
|September 3, 2025
Summary
This study analyzed 215 sexual molestation cases in Sweden, finding a 9% clearance rate. Criminalization often involves physical attacks by strangers in public, highlighting a typical "real sexual harassment" scenario.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Law
Background:
- Sexual molestation is a significant societal issue with varying legal definitions.
- Understanding the criminal justice system's handling of such cases is crucial for effective policy and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze Swedish police case files on sexual molestation.
- To determine the clearance rate and identify factors influencing case progression through the criminal justice system.
- To examine the characteristics of criminalized sexual molestation cases.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of 215 sexual molestation case files reported to the Swedish Police.
- Tracking incidents through the criminal justice system.
Main Results:
- A clearance rate of 9% was observed for sexual molestation cases.
- Higher clearance rates were associated with physical attacks, stranger perpetrators, and public locations.
- The study identified a typical profile of criminalized sexual harassment, termed "real sexual harassment".
Conclusions:
- The criminal justice system in Sweden processes a small fraction of reported sexual molestation incidents.
- Case characteristics significantly impact the likelihood of criminalization and case clearance.
- The findings suggest a divergence between the broad statutory definition and the practical application of sexual molestation laws.
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