Violence
Here you will find information about violence and what you can do if you or someone close to you is subjected to it.
Violence in close relationships
There are many different forms of violence and you can be subjected to several forms of violence at the same time. For example, there is
- physical violence
- psychological violence
- sexual violence
- financial violence
- material violence
Neglect can also be a form of violence. All forms of violence in Sweden are prohibited.
If someone uses violence within their family, for example against their child or partner, this is a crime for which they can face jail time. There is a law that makes it punishable to allow a child to become a witness to a loved one being subjected to violence.
Women are most often subjected to domestic violence by someone they know and depend on. It can be a partner, but can also be a child, a sibling or other relatives. Men can also be subjected to violence in close relationships.
Violence in close relationships is a major social problem. It is more common than you think and occurs in all different types of relationships. Some groups are particularly vulnerable, such as women with foreign backgrounds.
If you or someone close to you is a victim of violence in a close relationship
If you yourself or someone you know is or is at risk of being subjected to threats or violence of any kind, there is help available. It is important that you dare to tell the police, healthcare or the Swedish Migration Agency. You can also turn to social services in your municipality.
Here you will find contact information for various organisations that can provide support and help:
Kvinnofridslinjen - Sweden’s National Women’s Helpline - is an organisation for women who have been subjected to violence in a close relationship. They can also offer counselling in languages other than Swedish through an interpreter. Relatives of women who have been subjected to violence can also contact Kvinnofridslinjen for advice and support.
www.kvinnofridslinjen.se
External link, opens in new window.
Young relationships provides support to people under the age of 20 who are being subjected or have been subjected to violence or are themselves subjectying someone to it.
ungarelationer.se – Do you feel bad about your relationship? External link, opens in new window.
The Men’s Support Line provides support to men who are being or have been subjected to threats and violence by someone close to them or sexual assault.
Home - Support Line for Men External link, opens in new window.
Phone: 020-80 80 80
The Transgender Support Line provides support to vulnerable adult transgender people, including non-binary, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse.
Home - Transgender Support Line External link, opens in new window.
Phone: 020-55 00 00
Here you can read more about what violence is and how the Swedish Migration Agency works with these types of issues:
Film Tip — Violence in close relationships
See the film Violence in Close Relationships External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
If you subject someone to violence
Choose to quit is a telephone line for people who want help in changing a controlling or violent behaviour towards loved ones.
Home page - VAS (valjattsluta.se) External link, opens in new window.
Phone: 020-555 666
Honour-based violence and oppression
Honour-based violence and oppression occur in different cultures and religions. The honour-related violence and oppression are characterised by the fact that it is usually collectively practised or sanctioned.
The control of girls’ and women’s sexuality is usually central and is seen as necessary to maintain the family’s reputation. This is done, for example, by checking what girls and women are wearing and who they are spending time with.
Those who violate family norms and values risk are considered to bring shame to the family and being punished. They can be ostracised, threatened and beaten, at worst even killed.
Honour-based violence affects both girls and boys and both men and women can be perpetrators. At the same time, those involved in oppression may be vulnerable themselves and this means that the boundaries between victims and perpetrators often become unclear.
How honour-based violence be expressed
Honour-based violence can have many different expressions. In addition to physical punishments, it may be about limitations and control in everyday life. Examples of control may include:
- girls not being allowed to attend certain classes in school such as biology lessons with sexual education or swimming lessons
- girls having to go straight home after school while the boys are allowed to stay out and play and meet friends
- girls not being allowed to choose who they want to be friends with
- girls not being allowed to choose what clothes they want to wear
- boys having to watch their sisters or cousins outside the home
- young people not being allowed to choose romantic or sexual relationships themselves.
- young people being forced to marry someone chosen by their family against their will
- women being prevented by the family from getting a divorce
- women not being allowed to educate themselves, get a driving license and work
- women not being allowed to use contraception and not being allowed to decide if she wants to have children or how many children she wants.
You can read more about honour-based violence and oppression on these pages:
Home Page - Hedersförtryck.se External link, opens in new window.
Honour-based violence is a crime.
Honour-based violence has enormous consequences for those affected, but there is help to get.
In an emergency situation, always contact the police. Honour-based oppression is a crime in Sweden and can lead to severe penalties.
Here you will find contact information for various organisations that can provide support in honour-related issues:
National organisation GAPF (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.
TRIS (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.
Home Page - Terrafem External link, opens in new window.
You can also contact social services in the municipality where you live.
Female genital mutilation
Genital mutilation, sometimes referred to as female circumcision, occurs in many parts of the world. It is a very old tradition that is not linked to any particular religion. The tradition exists to control girls’ and women’s sexuality and means that, for example, a girl’s genitals are punctured, cut, sewn together or damaged in some other way. It is usually girls aged 4-14 who are exposed to genital mutilation.
Female genital mutilation is a crime
Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and is prohibited by law in Sweden. It is also illegal to take a girl to another country to subject her to genital mutilation. Those who contribute to the abduction of children can also be charged with crimes. It can also be punishable not to disclose or prevent genital mutilation from occurring.
Being subjected to genital mutilation is not a crime and you can get help from the healthcare services if you have been subjected to this and have physical or mental problems
If you suspect that someone is at risk of being subjected to genital mutilation, you should immediately contact the social services and/or the police. The Social Welfare Committee can decide on an exit ban for children who are at risk of being taken abroad for child marriage or genital mutilation.
Gender mutilation can lead to serious health problems for those exposed, such as blood loss, infections, difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth or mental health problems.
If you have been subjected to female genital mutilation
If you have been exposed to genital mutilation, you can contact the youth clinic, healthcare centre, a gynaecologist clinic or one of these clinics:
Amel Clinic | Södersjukhuset External link, opens in new window.
Vulva Clinic - Angered Hospital (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.
Existera can provide advice and support on issues related to genital mutilation, both for victims and for relatives.
Read more
You can read more about genital mutilation here:
Genital mutilation – female circumcision - 1177 External link, opens in new window.
What is genital mutilation? - Könsstympning.se (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.
Male circumcision
Male circumcision may be performed on request or after the consent of the boy’s guardian. If the boy has two guardians, both guardians must consent to it. The procedure may not be carried out against the boy’s will. Circumcision may be performed only by a licensed physician or by a person who has a special permit to perform the circumcision of boys.
