Home Care Employee Raped 80-Year-Old Woman – Not Reported to Police for Several Weeks

A man employed by home care services in Malmö is suspected of raping a woman in her 80s in her home. At the same time, sharp criticism is being directed at the city of Malmö’s handling of the case, in which a police report was delayed by over two weeks. The incident has now sparked political reactions and renewed debate about safety in elderly care.

The crime is said to have occurred in early February in an apartment in central Malmö. The victim is a woman in her 80s who, according to sources including Sydsvenskan, was subjected to rape by a man working in home care services.

Police and prosecutors are now investigating the incident. Prosecutor Veronika Edvinsson states that the preliminary investigation has only now – several weeks later – been initiated and that the woman has been interviewed.

The suspected rapist no longer works in the operation. However, he has not been detained.

Criticized Handling – Police Report Delayed

The case has received special attention due to the city of Malmö’s actions. It took from February 23, when the incident became known to the organization, until March 13 before a police report was filed.

During this time, the municipality conducted its own internal secret investigation. This is criticized by the prosecutor, who believes that the approach may have hampered the legal process.

According to the prosecutor, there is a risk of a negative impact on the investigation when a suspect has already had access to allegations and been able to respond before police interviews have been conducted. In sexual offense cases, it is often crucial to obtain accounts without any prior information.

The municipality’s explanation is that they wanted the affected 80-year-old woman to participate in a police report herself. However, this reasoning is criticized, as a formal report is necessary for victims to access the proper support, such as a counsel for the injured party.

Several Similar Cases – and a Broader Problem

This case is not isolated. In Malmö, two high-profile cases have occurred in recent years.

In November 2023, a home care employee was sentenced to prison for raping a woman with a disability. In January 2024, another employee was convicted of sexual assault against a 94-year-old woman.

At the same time, reports from different parts of the country show that the phenomenon is widespread. The incidents have prompted recurring criticism and questions about employment checks, work routines, and protection for particularly vulnerable elderly people.

SD Demands Action

The incident has had political consequences. Lisbeth P Ekström is group leader for the Sweden Democrats in Malmö’s Health, Care, and Social Services Committee, and she is sharply criticizing the municipality’s handling and demanding changes.

– The result of the city administration’s scandalous handling of this type of heinous crime leaves Malmö citizens scarred for life, says Persson Ekström.

The party believes that all suspected crimes where home care staff may be perpetrators should be reported to the police immediately. At the same time, the importance of supporting victims through the process is emphasized.

– We Sweden Democrats believe that Malmö should never contribute to making the justice system’s work more difficult. This is serious and action must be taken. If the administration becomes aware of a crime where an employee in Malmö’s home care is a suspected perpetrator, they must report the incident to the police immediately, says Lisbeth P Ekström (SD).

In a committee initiative, SD proposes among other things that routines are established to ensure that suspected crimes are always reported without delay and that support for victims is strengthened.

In a written question to municipal commissioner Anders Rubin (S), the party calls for clarification on what measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The handling is described as “scandalous” and with consequences that can leave crime victims “scarred for life”.

SD campaign / Stock image. Photo Facsimile Facebook / Snappgoat

Continued Investigation

The police investigation is ongoing and additional interviews are expected to take place. At the same time, attention is now focused on how municipalities handle suspicions of serious crimes within care services – and what routines are required to protect the most vulnerable.

The Malmö case is just the latest in a series in a growing discussion about security – or more accurately, the lack thereof – in elderly care in Sweden.