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Portrait of Ulrika Andersson. Photo.

Ulrika Andersson

Professor

Portrait of Ulrika Andersson. Photo.

Chronotopes of Criminal Law : On Time, Place and Sexual Molestation

Author

  • Ulrika Andersson
  • Linnea Wegerstad

Editor

  • Daniela Alaattinoğlu
  • Kevät Nousiainen
  • Amalia Verdu Sanmartin

Summary, in English

In this chapter we argue for taking time and place into account in analyses of law and legal practice and for law to embrace a chronotopic approach. We demonstrate the relevance of this approach through a chronotopic analysis of the crime of sexual molestation under Chapter 6 Section 10 in the Swedish Criminal Code (1962:700). We present results from a quantitative study of 215 police-reported incidents of sexual molestation in Sweden and their path through the criminal justice system. We show that in comparison with rape, sexual molestation is more often reported on the same day as the incident and more often occurs in a public place. Further, we juxtapose our findings with Niemi’s analysis of the criminalisation of sexual harassment in Finland (2019). We also compare all reported cases with the subset of cleared cases (cases leading to a decision to prosecute or to a summary sanction order) and show that among cleared cases, the reported incident more often occurs in public and is more often reported on the same day. In conclusion, the chronotope of a public place and swift reporting has a bearing on the offence of sexual molestation.

Department/s

  • Department of Law
  • Jämställdshets- och likabehandlingskommittén (Juridik)
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • LU Profile Area: Human rights
  • Law and Vulnerabilities
  • Criminal Law

Publishing year

2026

Language

English

Pages

21-30

Publication/Series

Neutral Law? : Essays in Honour of Johanna Niemi

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Helda Open Books

Topic

  • Law

Keywords

  • Chronotope
  • Sexual harassment
  • Criminal law
  • Time
  • Space
  • Straffrätt

Status

Published

Research group

  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Law and Vulnerabilities
  • Criminal Law

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 978-951-51-8340-8
  • ISBN: 978-951-51-8339-2