Narrative Non-fiction · Hardback

Hunting the Serial Abuser

Norwegian title: Jakten på en serieovergriper

Stine grows up in a small village in Western Norway. At home, her mother walks around with hearing protection to keep out the noises from her children. Child protection services try to help the dysfunctional family.

One night, Stine logs online on the phone that she was gives for her eleventh birthday, and sets up a profile on a chat site. For the first time, she experiences positive attention. Some weeks later she writes in the group: «What is the least painful way to die?». Before admin can delete the message, the eleven-year-old gets a response: «You're not allowed to leave this world before you get to know me. Everything will be ok, I promise.»

The man presents himself as Otto. A man of thirty-seven from Eastern Norway. After some months of contact, Otto travels across the mountains to visit Stine. It's the start of a nightmare of abuse which will continue for years. The psychic power the man holds over the little girl is ruthlessly depicted by author Anne-Britt Harsem. Stine was afraid of Otto, she felt shame and guilt, while simultaneously being addicted to him and caring for him. He placed her in an impossible situation.

Many years later, Stine sees a picture of Otto in the paper. He's at a concert, standing all the way up front by the stage, surrounded by kids. She understands he can have other victims than her. And that she must stop him.

The roles have flipped: For two years she hunts the serial abuser, collecting evidence to take to the police. The investigation uncovers many more victims, and thanks to Stine the police is able to arrest the man, press charges and get him convicted.

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