Record year for Stígamót- centre for survivors of sexual abuse and violence?

"It's been a very busy time for us and we can't respond to all the demand," says Guðrún Jónsdóttir, spokesperson at Stígamót to mbl.is when asked about the demand of Stígamót's services this past year. 

The year 2015 has been a transitional one when it comes to the discussion of topics regarding sexual offences, not in the least because of the social media revolution in Iceland associated with the Beauty Tips Facebook page and public protests against the judicial system with regards to sexual offences. 

In 2014, 306 new offences were announced to Stígamót, a centre for survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Out of the 277 victims, 33 were men. Gang rapes counted 19 thereof and drug rape cases were 13. 13.2 percent reported the rape to police and 79.7 percent refused to press charges. 

Jónsdóttir says that at this point in time she cannot confirm whether this year is a record year but she suspects that there is a great increase in numbers between years. "When we looked at the figures in September it seems like a record year but we won't be able to confirm that until February." She thinks that negative news from when rape charges are dismissed by the judicial system and victims possibly face charges themselves for wrongful charges of rape, could deter victims from pressing charges in the future. "We've witnessed cases like that, this is not making it easier for people who already found it daunting to press charges. "

However, she feels that the social awakening of not silencing the victims but speaking out has helped in some ways. "We also notice that rape victims are more aware now that they have suffered post traumatic stress disorder and these closed Facebook groups have provided a support system for them."

Jónsdóttir says that Stígamót have organised meetings for victims in these Facebook groups discussing the negative sides of the public discussions and the judicial system.