ABSTRACT: Since the turn of the millennium, evidence has proven two parallel growing trends in Western Europe. Namely, the influx of immigrants from Middle Eastern and North African countries as well as the rising numbers of reported rape cases. Whether there exists a causation between these two trends however remains a highly controversial topic, lacking established literature. By using the case study of Norway, this paper will attempt to begin preliminary research of establishing the validity

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... of such a claim, and more importantly, the broader context around the reasons for why this is the case. Rape reports from the Norwegian Police indicate that there is indeed a higher frequency of relative numbers, though not a higher absolute number, of rape assailants coming from the Middle Eastern and North African immigrant group than any other immigrant group and the Norwegian-born population. The main analysis of this paper is to investigate the context in which these statistics are higher from this immigrant group. Accounts will be made for the immigrant experience of MENA immigrants to Western Europe, including assessments of the cultural differences at hand, general societal attitudes towards the immigrant group, and how the role of the media can narrate public discourse. Overall findings indicate how part of the reason for these statistics is in fact due to a failed integration system in Norwegian society.