Best Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Borgholm

About Sexual Harassment Law in Borgholm, Sweden

Sexual harassment in Sweden is unlawful and can be addressed under both civil and criminal law. In everyday terms, sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person’s dignity. This can include comments, messages, gestures, unwanted touching, propositions, and sharing of intimate images without consent. Borgholm is part of Sweden’s national legal system, so the same protections and procedures apply in Borgholm as elsewhere in the country. Depending on what happened and where it occurred, a case may be handled as workplace or school discrimination, a work environment issue, and or a criminal offense such as sexual molestation, unlawful violation of integrity, or rape. Victims can report to the police, trigger employer or school investigations, request protective measures such as restraining orders, and seek compensation.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if your employer or school is not responding adequately to your complaint, if you are facing retaliation after reporting, or if you want help preserving evidence and navigating multiple processes at once. A lawyer can coordinate a police report with workplace or school procedures, advise on medical and psychological documentation, and help you apply for a restraining order. In employment cases, a lawyer can pursue discrimination compensation and ensure the employer meets its investigation and prevention duties. In education, a lawyer can escalate matters to supervisory bodies when a school fails its obligations. If the conduct is a crime, a lawyer can help you engage with the police and prosecution, safeguard your rights at interviews, pursue damages, and work with your state-funded victim’s counsel if one is appointed. If you are accused of sexual harassment, a lawyer can protect your due process rights, respond to investigations, and represent you in any disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

Local Laws Overview

Discrimination Act 2008:567 applies in workplaces, schools, universities, housing, and the provision of goods and services. It defines sexual harassment as conduct of a sexual nature that violates someone’s dignity. Employers and education providers must prevent harassment, investigate promptly and impartially when they learn of an incident, take measures to stop it, and protect complainants from reprisals. Victims can claim discrimination compensation. The Equality Ombudsman supervises compliance and can bring cases, particularly in work and education settings.

Work Environment Act and the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations on the organisational and social work environment require employers to prevent victimisation, including sexual harassment, and to manage risks through policies, training, and procedures. Employers must assess risks, clarify reporting routes, investigate, and follow up.

Swedish Penal Code Chapter 6 covers sexual offenses, including rape, sexual assault, and sexual molestation. Other crimes that may apply include unlawful violation of integrity for sharing intimate images, unlawful threat, molestation, and unlawful persecution for repeated acts that constitute stalking. Criminal cases are investigated by the police and prosecuted by the Swedish Prosecution Authority. In many sexual offense cases, the court can appoint a victim’s counsel, called a målsägandebiträde, at no cost to the victim.

Restraining orders are governed by the Act on Contact Prohibition. You can apply through the police or the prosecutor. Orders can restrict contact in different ways and can be extended if risk remains.

Compensation can be pursued in several ways. In criminal cases, you can claim damages for violation of personal integrity, pain and suffering, medical costs, and lost income. If the perpetrator cannot pay, you may apply to the Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority. In discrimination cases, you can seek discrimination compensation from the employer or education provider. There are deadlines for bringing claims, which can be short in employment and education contexts, so prompt legal advice is important.

Schools and universities have special duties under both the Discrimination Act and the Education Act to prevent and stop degrading treatment and sexual harassment. Students can report to the school, and unresolved issues can be escalated to supervisory authorities. For children and young people, social services in the municipality can become involved to ensure safety and support.

Borgholm follows these national rules. You can report crimes to the local police in Kalmar County, notify your employer or school in Borgholm, and contact municipal social services for immediate safety planning and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as sexual harassment in Sweden?

Sexual harassment is unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that violates your dignity. Examples include sexual comments or jokes, showing sexual images, unwanted touching, persistent propositions after being told no, or sharing intimate images without consent. In work and school, it is a form of discrimination. Some conduct is also a crime under the Penal Code.

How is sexual harassment different from a sexual offense?

Sexual harassment is a civil law concept used in discrimination and work environment law. Sexual offenses are crimes such as sexual molestation and rape. The same incident can be both sexual harassment and a crime. Civil processes seek corrective action and compensation from an employer or school, while criminal cases focus on investigating and prosecuting an offender.

How do I report sexual harassment in Borgholm?

If it is a crime or you are in danger, call 112. For non-emergency police reports, call 114 14 or visit a police station. If it happened at work, also report internally using the employer’s procedures. If it happened at school or university, report to the school. You can make more than one report at the same time. Keep copies of everything you submit.

What are my employer’s obligations?

Employers must prevent sexual harassment, provide clear reporting routes, investigate promptly and objectively, take action to stop the harassment, and protect you from reprisals. They must manage the work environment risks and follow up. If they fail, you may be entitled to discrimination compensation in addition to any criminal case against an individual perpetrator.

What are my school’s or university’s obligations?

Education providers must prevent, investigate, and stop sexual harassment. They must take your report seriously, protect you from retaliation, and implement measures to ensure a safe learning environment. If they do not act, you can escalate to supervisory authorities and consider a compensation claim.

Can I be punished for reporting?

Reprisals, such as punishment or worse treatment because you reported, are prohibited under the Discrimination Act. Whistleblower protections may also apply in some work situations. If you experience retaliation, document it and seek legal advice immediately.

What evidence should I collect?

Save messages, emails, screenshots, photos, and call logs. Write down dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and any witnesses. Seek medical care for injuries or forensic documentation. Keep copies of reports you make to your employer, school, or the police. Do not delete original content if you can safely preserve it.

Do I need a lawyer and how are costs covered?

A lawyer can coordinate your options, protect your rights, and improve your chances of a thorough investigation and fair outcome. In many sexual offense cases, a victim’s counsel can be appointed at no cost. You may also have legal expenses insurance through your home policy or union membership, and some people qualify for state legal aid. Ask a lawyer to assess funding options at the outset.

Can I get a restraining order in Borgholm?

Yes. You can apply for a restraining order, called contact prohibition, through the police or the prosecutor. Orders can prohibit contact, proximity, or presence in certain areas, and can be extended if risk remains. Violating an order is a crime.

What compensation can I receive?

Compensation can include damages for violation of personal integrity, pain and suffering, medical and therapy costs, lost income, and discrimination compensation from an employer or school when applicable. If the offender cannot pay, you may seek state crime victim compensation. Deadlines vary, so seek legal advice promptly.

Additional Resources

Swedish Police Authority - emergency 112 - non-emergency 114 14. You can report crimes, request a restraining order application, and receive information about your case.

Swedish Prosecution Authority. Prosecutors handle criminal investigations and court proceedings in sexual offense cases.

Equality Ombudsman, DO. Provides guidance on discrimination and can investigate and litigate certain harassment cases in work and education.

Swedish Work Environment Authority. Oversees employer compliance with work environment rules and can inspect workplaces.

Borgholm Municipality Social Services. Can assist with safety planning, emergency housing, and support services for adults and youths.

Region Kalmar County healthcare and 1177 Vårdguiden. Offers medical care, forensic documentation in some settings, and counseling. Call 1177 for health advice 24-7.

Kvinnofridslinjen 020-50 50 50. National 24-7 support line for anyone experiencing threats or violence, including sexual violence.

Victim Support Sweden, Brottsofferjouren 116 006. Provides emotional support, information about the process, and practical help for victims and witnesses.

Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority, Brottsoffermyndigheten. Handles state crime victim compensation and funds support services.

Unions and student unions. Often provide advice, legal support, and representation in employment and education matters.

Next Steps

If you are in immediate danger, call 112. Seek medical care as soon as possible to address injuries and to document evidence. Consider contacting a trusted person for support.

Write down what happened while details are fresh. Save messages, emails, and any other evidence. If the harassment occurred at work or school, report it through the official channels and keep copies of your report and all responses.

Report crimes to the police by calling 114 14 or visiting a station. Ask about your right to a victim’s counsel in sexual offense cases. If you fear further contact, ask the police or a lawyer about applying for a restraining order.

Consult a lawyer experienced in Swedish sexual harassment and sexual offense matters. A lawyer can explain your options, coordinate workplace or school processes with any police case, and seek compensation. Ask about funding through a victim’s counsel appointment, legal expenses insurance, or legal aid.

Contact local support services in Borgholm and Kalmar County. Social services, healthcare providers, and victim support organizations can assist with safety planning, counseling, and practical help. Keep track of deadlines, attend scheduled appointments, and update your lawyer about any new incidents or retaliation.

If you are unsure where to start, call a support line or speak to a lawyer for an initial consultation. Early advice can protect your rights and help you choose the best path forward.