KVINNORS RÄTTFÄRDIGANDE AV SINA BROTT I KRIMINELLA GATUGÄNG- En narrativ kriminologisk undersökning av domslut

Abstract

Aims and objectives: This study aims to explore how women who commit serious gang crimes explain their actions based on their narratives in the verdicts. This study focuses on gang environments considered self-defined groups or street gangs in exposed areas. Method and data: This qualitative study is based on a narrative analysis of stories of women in street gangs. This study uses nine verdicts as data material and has a sample of twenty women's stories in the verdicts from 2018-2024. The data material is obtained from the first instance (Tingsrätten) and the criminal cases are aimed at large cities in Sweden (Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg). Results: The result draws on narrative criminology analyses using three themes of the women’s narrative of why they do crime. This study found three overarching themes: Narratives about love and friendship relationships with other gang members, narratives about fear of male gang members, and narratives about women's health. In the women´s narratives in the verdicts, it emerged that their deed was committed due to external factors linked to the three main themes. This study can confirm previous findings about women who commit crimes and shed light on a new target group in a Swedish context.