VEM ÄR ETT TROVÄRDIGT BROTTSOFFER I DET RÄTTSLIGA RUMMET? : En kvalitativ analys om empati för brottsoffer i rättsprocessen

This study examines the risk of secondary victimisation within the legal process from the perspective of victim counsels. Previous research shows that crime victims may suffer additional harm through their encounters with the justice system, which can result in increased distrust, emotional distress, and a reduced willingness to participate in legal proceedings. The aim of the study is to explore how victim counsel perceive vulnerable stages of the legal process, how victims’ needs for support are described, and what strategies are used to address trauma and manage emotional challenges.The study is based on qualitative interviews conducted with six lawyers and the material has been analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Theoretical perspectives on role-taking, emotional labour, and the ideal victim are applied to deepen the understanding of the findings. Concepts such as secondary victimisation are discussed and highlighted throughout the study. The results indicate that interrogations and court hearings are perceived as particularly critical situations in which the risk of secondary victimisation is meaningful. The importance of respectful treatment, clear information, and empathy emerges as a central aspect of professional practice, alongside the need to maintain appropriate professional distance. Empathic engagement is described as essential for creating trust and reducing victims’ sense of vulnerability, while simultaneously requiring careful emotional regulation from the counsel. The study highlights the need for increased knowledge and structured support in order to reduce the risk of crime victims experiencing further harm within the legal process.