Government action plans on violence against women include a focus on honor-related crimes, but for the past ten years there is limited research, and Swedish authorities receive only few reports. There is a large dark figure. In this study, we focus on the honor-related crimes, as defined by Swedish law, that do not pertain directly to violence, or female circumcision.

In Swedish law, the most important remnant categories pertain to forced marriages, underage marriage, and arranging travels abroad for these purposes. Many of these offenses do not come to the attention of police by victims reporting. Rather, for these offenses, the criminal justice process begins with social workers reporting a suspicion. There is an administrative recommendation for social workers to report suspicion of these offenses, but there is no requirement.

Using a sample of interviews with social workers, we examine arguments for and against reporting suspicion through a qualitative lens. Our theoretical framework derives from prior studies on reporting propensity and the Blackian concept of social distance and access to law. We present findings in relation to perceptions of costs and advantages of reporting, access to potential witnesses, completion of the criminal process, alternatives to criminal sanctioning.