Hedersrelaterat Våld och Förtryck

abstract The purpose of this study is to shed light on the experiences of the social workers when managing and treating errands concerning young girls/women who are exposed to honor related violence and oppression in several municipalities in Central Sweden. The study’s main questions focus, and purpose was based on five qualitative interviews. These questions were answered through five qualitative interviews through a targeted sample. The two selected theoretical perspectives were intersectionality and empowerment. Previous research shows that honor related violence occurs throughout the world with 5000 women being killed annually in the name of honor. Previous research emphasizes the importance of not connecting honor related errands to a certain culture and sheds light to the social services challenges, for example, when some families deny that honor related violence occurs. The interviews emphasized that collaboration between social services and sheltered housing, long-term support, respect and understanding for the clients were central aspects. The result could give an indication that especially the smaller municipalities in central Sweden did not have an actual action plan for their particular municipality. The results of the study could show that cases concerning honor violence and oppression were complex and broad and could complicate the social services preparedness and when handling the honor related cases. Intersectionality could provide an understanding of the risk if these issues would be culturalized because it could lead to a “we and them” mindset.