Progressive Sweden has long been a world leader in equality between the sexes. But while Swedish women enjoy more rights and opportunities than most, there is a dark and shameful side to this story. Despite all the progress, Sweden has among the highest levels of family violence in Europe. Nearly half of all women in Sweden will face physical or sexual violence by men, usually their current or former partner. Courtesy: ABC/Foreign Correspondent

IT HAS an international reputation as being progressive, beautiful and full of opportunity.

But behind Sweden’s bright facade, lies a dark secret.

Foreign Correspondent and ABC reporter Sally Sara, who recently travelled to the Scandinavian nation, found life for some women in the country is far from the picture perfect image we believe.

In the first episode of the year forForeign Correspondent, Sara reveals it has one of the highest levels of family violence in Europe.

Sara was joined on her journey by domestic violence activist Rosie Batty to investigate whether gender equality frees women from family violence.

In Rosie’s Journey, which airs tonight, the pair discover nearly half of all women in Sweden will face physical or sexual violence by men, usually at the hands of their current or former partner.

Speaking to news.com.au ahead of the program going to air, Sara said she was surprised to learn about Sweden’s dark side, given the nation is often portrayed as one of the most pro-gender equality countries in the world.

Yet she said the fact that the domestic violence rates were so high didn’t seem to correlate.

She said one reason rates could be so high could be because of greater reporting of incidents and a “greater trust in police and authorities”.

“It seems women feel empowered and trust the police and judicial systems, which is obviously a positive thing,” she said.

“Yet there’s obviously this high level of family violence and a great need for more preventive programs as well as a need to identify victims and perpetrators.”

Sara said it was clear gender equality was just one part of the solution to family violence.

During the trip, the journalist and activist met with Swedish police authorities, victims as well as an offender.

Ms Batty, spoke with one man known as Emanuel, who revealed his own harrowing story at being a victim of domestic violence growing up, and how he has repeated the cycle in his own home.

“I’ve done very, very bad things,” he tells Ms Batty.

Foreign Correspondent: 'Rosie’s Journey' Foreign Correspondent: 'Rosie’s Journey' - Airs Tuesday, March 15 at the new time of 9.30pm on ABC & iview.

However, Sara said the pair got a lot of out of the meeting with Ms Batty heartened by his cry for help and his desire to change, especially after hearing about the tragic loss of her son Luke.

“He was really affected by Rosie’s story and she respected that he was getting help,” Sara said.

Before they met, Sara offered to go alone, but Ms Batty wanted to come telling the journalist:

“I don’t feel in the least bit intimidated. After the journey I’ve had with Luke’s father I don’t think I could ever be intimidated in the same way again.”

Luke died after his estranged father Greg Anderson struck him with a cricket bat and attacked him with a knife at a Victorian cricket oval during a custody visit in February, 2014.

Anderson, 54, was shot by police and later died in hospital.

Following her son’s death Ms Batty became a high profile domestic violence campaigner and was named as Australian of the Year in 2015.

Sara said it was Rosie’s first big overseas trip since her son Luke was murdered and she seemed both sad and happy to be there.

In tonight’s episode, Sara also provides a glimpse into Ms Batty’s personal thoughts as well as

revealing she would definitely consider entering politics.

IN ROSIE’S WORDS:

On herself: “I am strong, but I’m not tough”

On running for politics: ”I would never discount it ... but I’ve never considered the things I’m doing now.

“All I do know is I genuinely want to make a difference. I would consider it because it’s a real privilege to be given that opportunity.”

On Sweden’s violence: “It’s difficult to realise that in the beauty of these places there is also the real ugliness of the worst of human behaviour.”

Rosie’s Journey airs tonight at the new time of 9.30pm on ABC & iview. Repeat screenings are at 10.30am Thursday March 17 & 6.30pm Sunday March 20 on ABC News 24.

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