Fridsinsatser

Abstract

Aims and objectives: This study evaluates the effect of Swedish police fridsinsatser (peace interventions) on reporting propensity and criminal case progression in cases of domestic violence. The study examines whether the intervention influences the number of reported crimes and cases submitted to prosecutors, while also exploring how the intervention is implemented and through which crime prevention mechanism it may operate. Method and data: A mixed-methods design was applied. Quantitative analyses were conducted using monthly panel data at the Local Police Area (LPO) level between 2022 and March 2026, including Difference-in-Differences, event study, lagged and robustness models. Crime categories included assault in intimate partner relationships, unlawful threats, and gross violation of a woman's integrity. Qualitative data consisted of a survey, observations, personal contacts, and documentation related to the implementation of fridsinsatser. Bjørgo´s crime prevention model, and Christie´s theory of the ideal victim were used as theoretical frameworks. Results: The findings indicate that fridsinsatser are associated with an increase in reported crimes and prosecutor-submitted cases concerning intimate partner physical assault against women, with weaker effects for male victims. The results suggest that the intervention may contribute to increased detection and reporting propensity, thereby potentially reducing the dark figure of crime, although effects were not robust across all models or crime categories. No consistent effects were found for unlawful threats or gross violation of women´s integrity. Qualitative findings indicate that the intervention may operate through several direct and indirect crime preventive mechanisms, including normative influence, deterrence, disruption, victim protection and incapacitation.