Norske drapsmenn (og kvinner) 1955-1982

Homicides are rare in Norway; the country’s homicide rate is among the lowest in the world (UNODC, 2013). This might be why homicides always receive attention in the national news. The topic has also received attention on a governmental level. Reducing the number of homicides is an expressed goal in several official reports. However, preventive efforts require knowledge. While a handful of studies have been conducted using a variety of disciplinary approaches and methods, several recent reports point out that homicide is not a prioritized research field in Norway (NOU 2010:3; FHI rapport, 2012; JBD, 2018). This is the first article from the project »Homicides in Norway, 1955-1982, a historical-criminological study«. Studies using historical methods on homicide in the contemporary era have not previously been conducted in Norway. The projects aim is to provide historical insight into the rates and patterns of Norwegian homicide during the period 1955 to 1982, based on material originally collected by psychologist Ragnar Christensen (1922-2011) over the course of three decades.

«Basically, I am here to help you»

I denne artikkelen undersøkes bekymringssamtalen, som ofte blir omtalt som et sentralt verktøy i norske myndigheters arbeid med å forebygge radikalisering og voldelig ekstremisme. Slike samtaler blir gjennomført med personer som er antatt å være i risiko for radikalisering. Hensikten er å innhente informasjon, korrigere atferd, identifisere behov for hjelp, samt å tilby hjelp dersom det trengs. Inspirert av Foucault og hans tenkning om pastoralmakt analyserer vi bekymringssamtalen som myndighetsutøvelse, der til dels motstridende agendaer – av statlig kontroll og statlig omsorg – kommer sammen i det som konseptualiseres som «bekymring». Videre argumenterer vi for at bekymringssamtalen eksemplifiserer og synliggjør mer overordnede dilemmaer og konflikter i myndighetenes forebyggingsinnsats på dette feltet, hvor bekymring gir mening og legitimitet til det vi ser som en problematisk sammenstilling av omsorgs- og kontrolltiltak og av sosialpolitiske og sikkerhetspolitiske agendaer.AbstractIn this article we set our sights on what is often referred to as a key instrument for countering violent extremism in Norway, the conversation of concern [Bekymringssamtale in Norwegian], usually referred to in English as the police conversation intervention. The conversation is conducted with individuals assumed to be at risk of radicalisation with the aim of obtaining information, modifying behaviour, identifying any needs for help, and offering help if needed. We argue that this intervention clearly demonstrates certain dilemmas and conflicts inherent in the Norwegian Government’s recent policies on counter-extremism, where the concept of «concern» [bekymring] encompasses control and care, and includes agendas related to security and welfare, respectively. Applying a Foucauldian conceptual framework, we analyse the conversation of concern as a technique of pastoral power in which conflicting agendas interact in problematic ways, and the exercising of state power and control is neutralised through a notion of a general common good; «concern».

Kan et frivilligt samleje være strafbart?

This article examines some conceptual challenges associated with the content and possible demarcation of the notions of consent and voluntariness in recent Danish legislation on rape. It is argued that free will or voluntariness, and the expression thereof, should be seen as occurrences on a spectrum, and that the expression of consent or free will is at least partially necessary if such subjective concepts are to be useful in a legal context. The paper examines some general implications of this for possible outcomes of case law. Uncertainties include what should be made of the use of the »presumptions« mentioned in the bill. Some implications for the evaluation of a defendant’s mens rea are also touched upon. It is concluded that the Danish court enjoys a margin of discretion that allows it the ability to criminalise instances of intercourse even when they are not necessarily non-voluntary.