Philip Cohen comments on Sweden being called the "rape capital" of Europe
Shows that the rise in rape occurred before refugees were allowed in
Sweden has been a political target for anti-refugee immigration policies with politicians like Nigel Farage claiming that rape rates in the country have increased as a result of liberal immigration policies for refugees. However, faculty associate Philip Cohen, using data from Swedish police systems, shows that the rape rate in Sweden started to increase between 2004-05, 7 years prior to the 2011 influx of refugees. This rise is mostly attributed to changes in the definition of rape within Swedish law, which expanded to include victims who are asleep and under influence.