A Swedish man has been sentenced to four years in prison for coercing his wife into sexual encounters with over 120 men, in a case that has been hailed as a landmark for victims of coercive control. The Stockholm District Court delivered the verdict on Tuesday, finding the 42-year-old guilty of rape, human trafficking, and gross violation of his wife's integrity. The prosecution argued that the man subjected his wife to systematic abuse over a period of several years, forcing her to comply with his demands through threats and intimidation.
The court heard that the couple met in 2014 and that the abuse began shortly thereafter. The man would post advertisements on websites offering his wife for sex, receiving payment from the men who responded. He then demanded she engage in these acts, often threatening to harm her or her family if she refused.
The wife, who cannot be named for legal reasons, testified that she felt like a "prisoner" in her own home.
The case has sparked outrage across Sweden and drawn attention to the insidious nature of coercive control. Legal experts say the sentence sends a powerful message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. This is a groundbreaking judgment,"
said Katarina Berglund, a professor of criminal law at Stockholm University. It recognises the severity of psychological manipulation and the exploitation of a person's autonomy. The court has set a precedent for how we consider cases of human trafficking within marriage."
The conviction comes amid a broader reckoning with gender-based violence in Sweden. The country has been praised for its progressive gender policies, but critics argue that much work remains to be done in protecting victims. According to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, reports of sexual offences have risen in recent years, partly due to increased reporting.
The man, who denied the charges, plans to appeal the sentence. His defence lawyer argued that the encounters were consensual. However, the court rejected this claim, stating that the wife's consent had been obtained through threats and manipulation.
The woman has since left her husband and is receiving support from a women's shelter. Activists have called for more resources to be allocated to such shelters and for better training for police and legal professionals on issues of coercive control. The case has also highlighted the role of technology in facilitating sexual exploitation.
The man used online forums to arrange the encounters, often requiring the men to pay a fee. The identities of the men involved remain unknown, and police have not indicated whether they will face charges. The wife said in a statement read in court that she hopes her ordeal will encourage other victims to come forward.
I want to tell anyone suffering in silence that there is help," she said. You are not alone."
The judge presiding over the case described the husband's actions as "a systematic and grave violation of trust and integrity". The sentence includes a four-year prison term and a SEK 200,000 (approximately £16,000) compensation payment to the victim.
