The impending trial of a member of Norway's royal family on multiple serious charges, including rape, has coincided with a significant increase in women coming forward to report abuse and sexual assault, according to the country's leading women's health organisation.
Royal Scandal and Rising Disclosures
Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of the future King Haakon, is scheduled to stand trial in February. He faces a total of 32 charges, which include four counts of rape, the domestic abuse of a former partner, and the illegal filming of several women without their knowledge or consent.
His lawyer, Petar Sekulic, has stated that Høiby "denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence". Sekulic added that his client would present a detailed account of his version of events in court. If found guilty of the most serious offences, Høiby could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Breaking Taboos and Seeking Help
May Britt Buhaug, Secretary General of the women's public health organisation Sanitetskvinnene, reported that staff at their health centres have recorded a noticeable rise in women contacting them for help and advice following experiences of violence and sexual assault. She directly linked this increase to the media coverage of high-profile cases like Høiby's.
"Media coverage of cases such as Høiby’s lower the threshold to ask for help. That women ask for help more easily is a positive effect. Openness breaks taboos," Buhaug said. She expressed hope that, although tragic, the case could contribute to breaking the silence surrounding intimate partner violence and rape.
This trend is set against a stark statistical backdrop: according to the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), one in 10 women in Norway has experienced serious violence from an intimate partner.
Republicans Energised and Further Allegations
The scandal has provided fresh momentum for republican sentiments in Norway. Craig Aaen-Stockdale, leader of the group Norge som republikk (Norway as a republic), said its membership had more than tripled in the last two years, largely due to the accusations against Høiby.
"The ongoing omniscandal has really tarnished the reputation of the younger royals, including the future heir," he commented, adding that the prospect of a future head of state with a chronically ill wife and a son in prison was "not fair on anybody".
Further damaging claims have emerged in a new book, White Lines, Black Sheep, which Høiby unsuccessfully tried to block. The book alleges he personally sold drugs on the streets of Oslo, accusations he has denied. Co-author Torgeir Pedersen Krokfjord noted, however, that the royal family remains broadly popular and has so far emerged relatively unscathed from the controversies.
The royal palace and Høiby's lawyer were contacted for comment on the developments.
