The crime victim hotline responds to the true crime wave: "Stop audio recording of interrogations in court"

The Crime Victim Support Center provides support to crime victims, witnesses and relatives before, before and after a trial.

The organization is well aware of the growing problem of crime victims whose testimonies are used as dramatizing elements in true crime stories - most recently in HBO's new documentary series "Knutby - in blind faith".

Traditional media are covered by the media ethics system, which regulates how sensitive information about private individuals and victims of crime is exposed and disseminated in the media, and prevents private individuals from being harmed by media publications.

But newer media such as streaming services and podcasts are not connected to the media ethics system and are thus not obliged to follow the rules.

- There is no trust in the media ethics system among the interrogators, says Sven-Erik Alhem, chairman of the Crime Victim Support Center.

What advice can you give to victims of crime who suffer from this type of publication?

- You can get compassionate support by turning to us.

But you can also influence by telling someone in court that you only participate if sound recording on behalf of the public does not take place, says Sven-Erik Alhem.

Critical to sound recording

All trials in Sweden are recorded and can be requested as an audio file, as a public document.

According to Sven-Erik Alhem, sound recording has become problematic, as the audio files are increasingly used without the victim's approval and in ways that make them feel bad.

Connecting podcasts and streaming services to the media ethics system, for example, is not a safe enough way to create a safe atmosphere in the courtrooms.

The victims of crime need to be able to control to a greater extent what can be spread further as public documents, says Sven-Erik Alhem.

- It is important that there are no more closed doors to the public than necessary when it comes to legal proceedings, I want to emphasize that. But interrogators should not worry that their statements will be spread on social media or podcasts, then there is a risk that they will not even show up, he says.