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Topics: Crime

Sofia Orrbén, PhD, Department of Scandinavian Languages, Uppsala University.

Language in sexual offence judgments makes victims responsible

Professional and lay judges are not supposed to be influenced by personal values or political opinions. Despite this, the language of judgments reflects stereotypical ideas about gender and sexuality. This language means that women who have experienced sexual violence are often blamed for the assault. This is shown in a new thesis in Scandinavian languages from Uppsala University.

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