One of the aims of the study was to investigate how participants in self-help groups (SHG) for women (n = 87) who had been sexually abused in childhood rated their mental health and to what extent they were at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A further aim was to investigate the relationship between the ratings of mental health, occurrence of PTSD, women's interpersonal relationships, reasons for participating in an SHG and characteristics of the childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The participants completed questionnaires regarding their personal relationships, reasons for joining a group, abuse characteristics, mental health (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised) and PTSD (Impact of Event Scale-Revised). The women showed poor mental health, and more than half of them were at risk of developing PTSD. Lack of social support and feelings of shame correlated with poor mental health, whereas guilt did not. Relationships with female friends had a positive association. Further research is needed to determine whether participating in an SHG could provide adequate social support and reduce feelings of shame, thereby contributing to the healing process in the aftermath of CSA.

This article examines whether there is criminal justice for women in reported cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Sweden. A sample of 474 cases drawn from police records show that criminal justice for victims of IPV does not accord with the intentions of the law. Factors that were most likely to increase the probability of the crime report leading to prosecution were whether the suspect had been interrogated and whether the woman was cooperating. IPV crimes have been subject to public prosecution since 1982 in Sweden, which means that legal action can be taken without the women’s cooperation, but in most of the cases that still seems to be a requirement for pursuing prosecution and for taking other legal action, such as issuing contact prohibition orders or the provision of injured party counsel. There is a need for greater knowledge of the complexity of IPV, and a greater willingness to take serious measures against these serious crimes.

Suicide is a major public health concern, both nationally and internationally. In Sweden, more than 1200 people commit suicide every year, amounting to about 25% of all injury deaths. Five percent of these suicides occur on railways. From a railway safety perspective, suicide constitutes a clear majority (about 75%) of all Swedish railwayrelated fatalities. Several studies describe the frequency and characteristics of railway suicide in different countries. Some of them also discuss various preventative possibilities. However, fewer studies, if any, analyze and evaluate such strategies in more detail. In Sweden, a comprehensive research program in this field is now underway. The ultimate goal is to develop a set of preventative strategies against railway suicide that can be used by the railway transportation providers themselves, as an integral part of their regular safety work. The overall goal of this study is to explore preferences for preventative strategies against railway suicide among relevant professional groups. For the above purpose, a focus group approach was chosen. Focus group interview is a qualitative method based on group dynamics intended to gain non-quantitative in-depth understanding of a certain phenomenon, not obtainable from individual interviews. In total, 22 interviewees were selected and divided into four groups. Each interview session began with a brief presentation of the results so far accumulated from the ongoing research programme. Thus, all participants were given a common platform for the discussion.