The Evolution of the Swedish Association of Victim Support: Growth, funding, and victims served

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study focuses on Sweden’s oldest and largest victim assistance organization, the Swedish Association of Victim Support (abbreviated as SAVS). This study is part of a three-year research project that examines how SAVS has conceptualized their mission and goals since it was formed in 1988.

The poster provides descriptive and statistical data on how the association has developed during the last three decades. The poster will explore the growth of the association, how many centers have been opened, and when they were established. It will also present data on who has funded the association. Lastly, the poster will illustrate the number and demographics of victims SAVS has served, for example, the gender of the victims and type of crime they have been exposed to.

Data for the study was retrieved from annual reports dating from 1989-2012. The results show that the number of centers grew dramatically in the beginning of the 1990s, from around 15 to 100. Since then, the number of centers has remained constant. SAVS has primarily received their funding from the Ministry of Justice and the Swedish Crime Victim Fund. Men who have been exposed to assault has been the largest group SAVS has served.

Authors

• Carina Gallo, Lund University

• Kerstin Svensson, Lund University

• Monique Mozov, Holy Names University

• Kathrine Felix, Holy Names University