Author: Marie Sundström, Institutionen för sociologi och arbetsvetenskap (Department of Sociology and Work Science), Göteborgs universitet (University of Gothenburg) - Academia.edu, ORCID

Abstract: »Rape myths are beliefs about rape, rape victims and perpetrators that downplay, justify and deny sexual violence (Bohner, 1998). Rape myths are present in society as well as in the justice system, affecting legal practice and conviction rates. Thus, it is crucial that these are absent in the legal system. Swedish rape legislation criminalized rape within marriage in 1965. In 2018, a law based on voluntariness came into force. Between 1965 and 2018, five decisive shifts occurred in rape legislation. This article explores how debates and laws connected to these shifts articulate and challenge rape myths and how these have changed over time. A particular focus is on debates in the legislative process analyzing preparatory work. This thematic analysis provides a comprehensive picture of how the legislative discourse on rape articulated and reproduced in earlier years was gradually challenged and problematized in later shifts. Other myths have reappeared and are more subtly articulated in later changes. Furthermore, some myths have been consistent over the years studied. The study further shows the influence of public debates on legislative discourse.« (Source: Gender and Justice)

Contents:

	Introduction (p. 1)
	Previous research (p. 2)
	Methodological and theoretical framework (p. 4)
		Material (p. 4)
		Thematic analysis of discourse (p. 5)
	Rape myths in the Swedish legislative process over time (p. 7)
		Actors and acts (p. 7)
		Victim focus (p. 9)
		Relationships and intimacy (p. 12)
		Violence and resistance (p. 14)
		Force and violence (p. 14)
		Refusal and resistance (p. 16)
	Concluding (p. 19)
	Notes (p. 20)
	Funding (p. 20)
	Acknowledgements (p. 21)
	Research ethics statement (p. 21)
	Conflict of interest (p. 21)
	References (p. 21)

Wikipedia: History of Europe: History of Sweden / History of Sweden (1945–1967), History of Sweden (1967–1991), History of Sweden (1991–present) | Law: Law of Sweden, Laws regarding rape | Sex and the law: Rape / Rape in Sweden, Rape myth