The Politician’s Safety Survey 2025

Victimisation among elected representatives

In the PTU, elected representatives are asked to respond to questions concerning self-reported victimisation during the previous calendar year. This means that the PTU for 2025 describes victimisation experienced during 2024. Victimisation is presented as a proportion of exposed individuals, with the exception of the chapter sections concerning situations, perpetrators and motives, where it is presented as the proportion of incidents or distribution among incidents. In the chapter concerning police reports and other reporting, some results are also presented as distribution among incidents.

Total victimisation

• In total, 25.4 per cent of the elected representatives stated that, during 2024, they had been the victim of some form of threat or harassment, or of violence, vandalism or theft.
• In general, the proportion of victimised elected representatives is larger during election years compared to the intervening years. The proportion of victimised respondents in the 2024 intervening year remained at a similar level to the 2020 intervening year (25.4 per cent compared to 26.0 per cent) and was slightly lower than in the 2022 election year (29.5 per cent).
• Repeated victimisation is common. In total, 15.2 per cent of those who had been victimised during 2024 stated that this concerned a single incident, 54.2 per cent stated that it happened between two and five times, and 30.7 per cent stated that they had been victimised on six or more occasions.
• A slightly higher proportion of women than men state that they have experienced victimisation. A total of 26.8 per cent of the female elected representatives and 24.4 per cent of the males stated that they had been victimised at least once during 2024.
• Victimisation is considerably more common among younger elected representatives. The age group with the highest proportion of elected representatives stating that they had been victimised is those aged 30 to 39 year, among whom 35.9 per cent stated that they had been victimised during 2024, compared to 13.6 per cent among the oldest age group (70 years or older).
• As for elected representatives with a non-Swedish background, roughly the same proportion as those with a Swedish background state that they were victimised during 2024 (26.9 per cent and 25.3 per cent, respectively).
• There are differences in victimisation between political parties. The proportion of those victimised during 2024 was largest within the Green Party (33.1 per cent) and smallest within the Centre Party (19.9 per cent).
• Victimisation is considerably greater among elected representatives in the Swedish national parliament than in municipal and regional assemblies (64.5 per cent compared to 31.4 per cent in regional assemblies and 25.0 per cent in municipal assemblies).
• Victimisation is considerably greater among those elected chairs compared to those holding other offices (42.2 per cent compared to 21.6–29.9 per cent for other offices) and among full-time politicians compared with those carrying out their assignments part-time or in their leisure time (57.2 per cent compared to 32.4 and 16.8 per cent). The differences between full-time politicians and those who carry out their assignments part-time or in their leisure time have increased over time.
• Victimisation increases considerably with the elected representative’s level of exposure (the extent to which they are active on internet or social media, the extent to which they are written or spoken about in the media, and the extent to which they feel they are recognised by the public). For example, 82.8 per cent of elected representatives who stated that they had been covered or mentioned in media to a very high extent during 2024 also stated that they had been victimised, compared with 7.8 per cent of those who had not been covered or mentioned in the media at all during the year.

Threats and harassment

• 8 per cent of the elected representatives stated that in 2024 they had been the victim of some form of threat or harassment as a result of their elected position.
• Victimisation in the form of threats and harassment is greater during election years than in the intervening years. The level of victimisation in the 2024 intervening year remained at a similar level to the 2020 intervening year (24.8 per cent and 25.2 per cent, respectively). A slightly higher proportion of women than men report victimisation. A total of 26.3 per cent of women and 23.6 per cent of men stated that they had been the victim of threats or harassment during 2024. The pattern over time has been similar for both women and men, although the proportion has been higher among women since 2018.
• Different types of threats and harassment on the internet is most common. As in previous years, the most common incident in 2024 took the form of threats or attacks via social media. A total of 18.2 per cent of the elected representatives stated that they had been victimised in this way. The second most common type of threat and harassment was being publicly exposed online, reported by 7.7 per cent.

Violence, vandalism and theft

• 8 per cent of the elected representatives stated that they had been the victim of some form of violence, vandalism or theft as a result of their elected position during 2024.
• The proportion victimised in this way has been higher during election years than in the intervening years. The proportion has decreased over time. In 2024, the proportion was the lowest since 2012, when it was 2.7 per cent.
• Between 2012 and 2018 the proportion reporting victimisation was higher among men than among women. However, since 2020, the proportions have been essentially the same for women and men.
• Most incidents in the category of violence, vandalism or theft concern violence against a person, with jostling and similar contact being the most commonly experienced form of violence. It is considerably less common that the elected representatives state that they have been the victims of more serious violence, in the form of punches, kicks or similar, or in the form of violence with a weapon.

Attempted corruption

• A total of 2.9 per cent of the elected representatives stated that they had been the victim of some form of attempted corruption in 2024.
• The proportion victimised in this way was slightly higher in 2012–2016 compared to 2018–2024. Unlike the other questions in the survey, here we see no clear differences between election years and intervening years.
• A slightly higher proportion of women than men stated that they had been the victim of attempted corruption in 2024 (3.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent, respectively). Similar differences were seen in previous years, with the exception of 2018, when women and men were victimised to the same extent.
• The most common form of attempted corruption is friendship-based corruption, whereby a person close to the elected representative attempts to exploit their relationship in order to gain some form of advantage. In most cases, the perpetrator is a casual acquaintance of the elected representative, aiming either to provoke some kind of action by the representative or gain access to information.

Situations, perpetrators and motives

• In most incidents during 2024, the perpetrator was either unknown or anonymous.
• In those instances where the victim had an idea of the perpetrator’s identity, it was most often a man estimated to be aged 45–64 years, who was acting alone and was perceived as a disgruntled citizen.
• In 18.7 per cent of the incidents the perpetrator was perceived as another elected representative, most often from another political party. A higher proportion of women than men stated that the perpetrator was another elected representative (22.1 per cent and 15.9 per cent, respectively).
• In around half of the incidents, the victim perceived the perpetrator as belonging to some form of group or movement, most commonly a far-right or racist movement.
• The incidents are most commonly linked to a decision made by the elected representative or with the representative’s engagement in particular issues.
• In most cases, the victim stated that the main objective of the perpetrator was to humiliate or insult them. It was nearly as common for the main objective to be stated as an attempt to influence the elected representative’s actions or decision-making, or to express dissatisfaction.
• In total, 6.9 per cent of those victimised in 2024 stated that there had been some verbal, written or physical attack of a sexual nature in conjunction with the incident or one of the incidents. In this regard there is a clear gender difference, as this was reported by 8.9 per cent of the victimised women, whilst the corresponding proportion for men was 5.2 per cent.
• About one third of the incidents were perceived as relatively frightening (25.4 per cent as fairly frightening and 5.5 per cent as very frightening). Only 16.0 per cent were not perceived as frightening at all.

Concern among elected representatives

The elected representatives are also asked to respond to a question regarding their level of concern during the previous calendar year. This means that the PTU for 2025 describes the concern experienced during 2024. The question addresses whether they had felt concerned that either they themselves would be the victims of crime or similar unpleasant events as a result of their political position, or that another person close to them would be victimised. Concern among elected representatives is reported as a proportion of all elected representatives and as a proportion of victimised representatives.

• In total, 24.8 per cent of all elected representatives stated that, during 2024, they had felt concerned that either they themselves would be the victims of crime or similar unpleasant events, or that another person close to them would be victimised. The proportion among those elected representatives that had been victimised was considerably greater, 51.3 per cent.
• The proportion of elected representatives who had felt concerned has varied between 24.5 and 29.7 per cent during the survey years 2014–2024, but was lower in 2012 (15.5 per cent). Among those elected representatives that had been victimised, the proportion has varied between 50.7 and 55.1 per cent 2014–2024, and was also lower in 2012 (42.3 per cent).
• A higher proportion of women than men felt concerned. A total of 27.9 per cent of the female elected representatives and 22.5 per cent of the men stated that they had felt concerned during 2024.
• Compared to the men, the women have had a higher proportion feeling concerned since 2018. The same pattern is seen among those elected representatives that had been victimised, but at higher levels: 53.8 per cent of the victimised women and 49.2 per cent of the victimised men stated that they had felt concerned in 2024.
• There are considerable differences in the proportion of elected representatives that felt concerned between age groups. The proportion that felt concerned during 2024 was highest within the age groups 29 years and younger (38.8 per cent) and 30 to 39 years (39.8 per cent). The corresponding proportion among the oldest age group, in which the proportion that felt concerned was the lowest (70 years or older) was 11.0 per cent. The same pattern is seen among those elected representatives that had been victimised, but at higher levels.
• The proportion who felt concerned was higher among elected representatives with a non-Swedish background, compared to those with a Swedish background (31.5 per cent and 24.1 per cent, respectively). The same pattern is seen among those elected representatives that had been victimised, but at higher levels. Among victimised elected representatives with a non-Swedish background, 61.3 per cent felt concerned in 2024, compared to 50.0 per cent among victimised with a Swedish background.

Consequences of victimisation and concern

The elected representatives are also asked to respond to a question regarding the consequences of their victimisation and concern during the previous calendar year. This means that the PTU for 2025 describes the consequences during 2024. The consequences of victimisation and concern are reported as a proportion of all the elected representatives, and as a proportion of those victimised.

• In total, 27.7 per cent of all elected representatives stated that, during 2024, they were affected in their elected role, either in their considerations or their actual actions, as a result of victimisation or concern about being victimised. The proportion among those elected representatives that had been victimised was considerably greater, 47.3 per cent.
• The proportion that state they were affected in their elected role has increased over time and was greater than ever during 2024 (27.7 per cent of all elected representatives, compared to 19.6 per cent in 2012). A similar increase is seen among those elected representatives that had been victimised, but at a higher level.
• A higher proportion of women than men stated that they had been affected in their elected role. For 2024, 32.7 per cent of the women stated that they had been affected by victimisation or their concern about being victimised, compared to 24.0 per cent of the men. The same pattern is seen among those elected representatives that had been victimised, but at higher levels: 53.4 per cent of the victimised women and 42.1 per cent of the victimised men stated that they had been affected in their elected role in 2024.
• The most common consequence of the victimisation or concern about being victimised is for the elected representatives to limit their activity on social media. The second most common consequence is for the elected representatives to avoid engaging or expressing themselves in particular issues. Most often it is issues regarding immigration, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or various types of local changes, such as closures or issues regarding land use and establishments. The proportion that state that they avoid engaging or expressing themselves in particular issues has gradually increased over time, with a particularly large increase among women.
• The proportion of victimised elected representatives who state that they have considered leaving a specific assignment or all of their assignments has increased over time, among both men and women.

Police reports and other reporting

The PTU examines how common it is for the incidents to be reported to the police, or to be reported in any other way. Those who have been victimised are also asked to describe their personal experiences of the police, and to state why they chose not to report an incident to the police. The results are presented as a proportion of incidents and distribution among incidents.

Police reports

• Relatively few incidents are reported to the police. A total of 16.5 per cent of incidents in 2024 that concerned either threats and harassment or violence, vandalism and theft were reported to the police. In previous years, the proportion of reported incidents has varied between 15.9 and 19.3 per cent.
• Violence, vandalism and theft are reported to the police considerably more often than threats and harassment. A total of 43.2 per cent of incidents that included violence, vandalism or theft were reported to the police, compared to 13.7 per cent of those that involved threats and harassment.

Experiences of the police

• In more than half of the instances (54.8 per cent) in 2024 in which those victimised were in contact with the police, they had very or quite positive experiences of the police. The proportion of instances in which those victimised in 2024 had very or quite negative experiences of the police was lower than ever in 2024 (15.3 per cent).

Why incidents were not reported to the police

• Those victims who did not report incidents to the police most often stated that they did not believe that doing so would lead anywhere. Many also regarded the incident as a trivial matter, or as just part of the role of being an elected representative.
• There was a higher proportion of incidents aimed at women that were not reported to the police because they regarded them as just part of the role of being an elected representative.

Other reporting of incidents

• In total, 49.4 per cent of incidents in 2024 were reported to a party other than the police. A slightly higher proportion of incidents aimed at female elected representatives were reported to a party other than the police than incidents aimed at male elected representatives (51.3 per cent compared to 47.8 per cent).
• The most common outcome was that the incident had been reported to a security officer, within either their own party or the political institution.
• About half of the incidents were not reported to the police nor to another party (46.4 per cent).

Support and security measures

The elected representatives are asked if they know of an existing action plan for the victimisation of elected representatives. They are also asked if they know of a security officer whom they could contact. The elected representatives are also asked questions about their need for support and whether they have received support, as well as which security measures

have been implemented. The reference period is the previous calendar year (2024), with the exception of the question relating to security officers and action plans, where the question concerns the time of the survey (2025). The results for support and assistance are presented as a proportion of incidents, whilst the results relating to security officers, action plans and security procedures are presented as a proportion of individuals.

Awareness of security officers and action plans

• A total of 20.0 per cent of the elected representatives did not know whether an action plan existed, whilst 15.4 per cent did not know whether there was a security officer whom they could contact.
• Both proportions have fallen considerably since 2012.
• A higher proportion of women than men are unaware of whether an action plan is in place. Moreover, a higher proportion of women than men are unaware of whether there is a security officer whom they could contact.

Support and assistance

• In 37.9 per cent of the incidents in 2024, the elected representatives stated that they needed support or assistance. The proportion was slightly larger than in previous survey years. In 8.1 per cent of the incidents the need was quite or very large. In 29.9 per cent of the incidents, the need was very or quite small, and in 62.1 per cent of incidents, there was no need for support or assistance at all.
• A considerably higher proportion of women than men stated that they had needed support or assistance in 2024, particularly a quite or very large need. A quite or very large need for support or assistance was reported in 11.0 per cent of the incidents aimed at women, and in 5.7 per cent of incidents aimed at men.
• In 36.3 per cent of cases, those reporting a quite or very large need for support or assistance stated that they had received support or assistance to a quite or very large extent. In 23.6 per cent of cases, however, they had not received any support or help at all. There was a higher proportion of incidents aimed at women where the victim had not received any support or help at all despite reporting a quite or very large need (26.0 per cent, compared with 19.7 per cent of the incidents aimed at men).
• Most of those who had received support or assistance had received it from another elected representative.

Security measures

• A total of 29.6 per cent of those victimised during 2024 stated that security measures had been implemented afterwards. Over time, this proportion has gradually increased, from 18.8 per cent in 2012.
• The proportion was roughly the same among victimised women and victimised men (29.9 per cent and 29.4 per cent, respectively).
• The most common measures were that the victimised person changed their routines or behaviour, and that they were given information about security and the exercising of caution.