Our mission to prevent violence
Since 2019 the Swedish Migration Agency is working on behalf of the government together with the Swedish Public Employment Service, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Gender Equality Agency to prevent and detect violence. Here you can read more about the Swedish Migration Agency's work with the government mission, which has been extended until 2024.
Are you living with violence?
Are you living with violence and want to seek help or information? The Swedish Migration Agency has gathered information and links to authorities and organisations that can help you.
Authorities must become better at detecting violence
"Violence is any act directed against another person who, by harming, hurting, intimidating or violating, causes that person to do something against his or her will or refrain from doing anything they want."
– Per Isdal, the Alternative to Violence Foundation
Violence is everywhere in society and figures from the World Health Organisation ( WHO) show that 35% of all women in the world have been victims of physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. It is therefore regarded as one of the biggest health problems in the world.
The enormous consequences of violence are one of the reasons for why the government has given the Swedish Public Employment Service, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Gender Equality Agency the task of cooperating on matters that concern improved detection of violence in close relationships.
Three development groups have been set up to create a structured exchange of knowledge and experience between the authorities. The aim is to contribute to increased consensus, joint learning and communication with people who the authorities meet in their activities. Together we will develop our collaboration on
- procedures and methods for detecting exposure to violence and the practice of violence, as well as referral to the appropriate body,
- increased support for relevant staff in their contact with clients, and
- support management and governance, so that efforts to better detect violence can be made sustainable over time and be implemented in the authorities’ regular activities.
The mandate also states that we must increase employees’ and managers’ knowledge about men’s violence against women.
More on the government's gender equality policy objectives and national strategy to prevent and combat men's violence against women:
Men's violence against women must stop (regeringen.se) 
External link, opens in new window.
The Swedish Migration Agency's work against violence
We will become better at detecting applicants who have experienced violence. We will provide information about what violence is and be able to refer people further if there is a need for it. We will also become better able to assess the importance of violence when it comes to the right that applicants have to a residence and work permit in Sweden, both for asylum seekers and for other applicants, such as those who are in Sweden due to connection with family members. We are also working to increase the detection of intimate partner violence among employees, as exposure to domestic violence affects employees’ health and thus also their ability to work.
