Prof Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson

“Most people are completely unaware of the significance and consequences of giving commitment to someone with control issues; it is risky because in the controlling person’s head the commitment can never be withdrawn.”
-Prof Jane Monckton-Smith

#coercivecontrol #legalentrapment #homicidetimeline

#iwd2026
#womeninspiringwomen
#womensupportingwomen
#womensrightsarehumanrights

“One in four countries report a backlash on women’s rights. This year, if any year, the International Women’s Day has become an arena where we refuse to stay silent and accept being stripped of the freedoms we fought so hard to gain”
-@profayebkarlsson

#internationalwomensday

#iwd2026
#womeninspiringwomen
#womensupportingwomen
#womensrightsarehumanrights

“One in four countries report a backlash on women’s rights. This year, if any year, the International Women’s Day has become an arena where we refuse to stay silent and accept being stripped of the freedoms we fought so hard to gain”
-@profayebkarlsson

#internationalwomensday

x.com/prfayebkarls...

Perpetrators know just how to tap into our patriarchal system of power and control such as by speaking with authority, gaslighting and by minimizing and ridiculing victim-survivors behaviours and existence.

My research expert opinion is that the new Swedish bill is not enough, but it does not have to be seen as a failure.

Sweden urgently needs specific coercion and control criminal legislation to complement the bill on psychological violence.

#metoofamilycourtsweden

Psychological violence is not the same as coercive and controlling behaviours, which are the main factor in all deadly violence.

Coercive control is not the same as emotional or psychological abuse.

We have a new bill in Sweden regarding psychological violence. In my lecture in the Swedish Parliament last week, I reflected on what this means for Sweden's victims of violence and whether the new bill is enough.

YouTube video by Prof Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson Institutionellt Våld: Prof Sonja Ayeb Karlsson (UCL, UK)

We are grateful that we were invited and that there is a serious policy interest in improving our legal systems.

The research presentation is now also available on YouTube: youtu.be/xmezZAckAaU

#metoofamilycourtsweden
#legalentrapment
#changefamilycourt
#legalreform

‘Institutional Violence: What does the international research say about how our legal systems are used to exercise power, control and violence, and its increased risk of lethal violence?’

…where the Civil Affairs Committee organised a separate research seminar on ‘Institutional Violence and Post-Separation Abuse in Family Law Contexts‘ where Professor Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, UCL, UK gave a research presentation on:

On Thursday 5th March 2026, the Swedish Parliamentary (Riksdagens) Research Day 2026: ‘Politics and the long challenges’ was organised…

YouTube video by Prof Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson Institutionellt Våld: Prof Sonja Ayeb Karlsson (UCL, UK)

Vi är otroligt tacksamma för att vi var inbjudna och för att det finns ett intresse att förbättra våra rättssystem.

Nu finns denna forskningspresentationen också ute på YouTube: youtu.be/xmezZAckAaU

där Professor Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, UCL, UK gav en forskningspresentation rörande: ‘Institutionellt Våld: Vad säger den internationella forskningen om hur våra rättssystem används för att utföra makt, kontroll och våld, samt dess ökade risk för dödligt våld?‘

Den 5e Mars 2026, organiserades Riksdagens Forskningsdag 2026: ‘Politiken och de långsiktiga utmaningarna’ där Civilutskottet organiserade ett separat forskningsseminarium rörande ‘Institutionellt Våld och Eftervåld i Familjerättsliga Sammanhang‘

Suport us by sharing and raising awareness of the #metoofamilycourtsweden movement!

I will be sharing more information and insights into what I said to all those who were not able to attend - and - in Swedish too this time around! 🇸🇪

#legalentrapment
#changefamilycourt
#legalreform
#asaferswedenforourchildren
#metoofamilycourtsweden

I want to thank the convener group behind the events, the members of parliament, but also the many people behind this day and the work leading up to these voices making it to our decision makers.

“Institutional Violence: what does the research show about how our legal systems are used to perpetuate violence and achieve power and control, and its interlinkages with the increased risk for deadly violence?”

I was invited to present my research into the family court system at the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagens) annual research conference and decided to speak about:

We have raised our voices and kept repeating the need for urgent reforms - we have been ignored, criticized and harassed for standing up for the rights of those that the system have forgotten.

When I say us all, I mean the researchers and academics, the lawyers, the politicians, advocates but most importantly the mothers and children who have refused to stay silent!

Last Thursday was a historical day for all us who have battled to make the family court system a safer place for victim-survivors in Sweden.

Being called “too much” for simply showing up as we are.

Equality is not a women’s issue.

It is everyone’s responsibility.

Change begins when we all step in, speak up, and refuse to stay silent.

Credit @unstoppablyher

The same questions women have been asked for decades are suddenly directed at men, and the discomfort says it all.

It’s not just about awkward questions.

It’s about what women still navigate every day.

Being judged by how we look.

Being asked to smile instead of speak.

These are all questions asked to women in leadership roles!

Repost @women_in_art__ @unstoppablyher

“If you observe something, you have to step in. You can’t just wait for someone else to solve it.”

in family courts, you can explore the research and advocacy assistant here:

🔗 chatgpt.com/g/g-695945c5...

The more light we shine on these systems, the harder it becomes for injustice to hide.

To everyone in Sweden who is speaking up:

👉 We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

🌍 #MeTooFamilyCourtSweden
🌍 #MeTooFamilyCourt
🇺🇳 #ShadowPandemic
#CoerciveControl #PublicHealthCrisis

If you want to learn more, research the issue, or help document systemic patterns