I live in Sweden (moved there from Germany in 2006). The presence of the topic of rape in the media and public debate instantly surprised me. It has always been

I live in Sweden (moved there from Germany in 2006). The presence of the topic of rape in the media and public debate instantly surprised me. It has always been a topic of great concern to the Swedes, which I noted as being very different to Germany. In very simple terms, Swedes, due to the advanced state of gender equality (in comparison to most other countries, including Germany), are highly sensitive to occurences which might be associated with the act of rape. That, over time, inevitably leads to increased reports of acts of (possible) rape which would not be reported in countries in which awareness is weak, the law forgiving and in which shame and honor count so much. Understanding Swedish rape statisics requires understanding a cultural aspect and the context that this statistic is embedded in.