Help for those who are living with dome­stic violence

Film about violence and how the Swedish Migra­tion Agency can help you

The film is about 5 minutes long. More information about violence and where to seek help can be found further down the page.

What is violence?

There are many different forms of violence. This is information about some common

Who is affected by violence?

In close relationships between people, violence is often a pattern of several different acts that can range from words that are said to very serious crimes. Often the violence or threats are used as a way for one person to control the other person and prevent that person from making their own decisions. You can be the victim of several forms of violence at the same time.

It is always the person who uses violence who is responsible and it is never your fault if you are subjected to it. All people have the right to live a life free from violence and oppression and to receive support and help.

Why is it impor­tant to tell us if you are living in a violent situ­a­tion?

You have the right to live a life free from violence and oppression. There is help available and the first step is to talk about your experiences to another person or an authority that is able to help you.

The Swedish Migration Agency's mission includes the prevention of violence. In order to do this, we need to know if you are living with or have lived with violence. It is therefore important that you tell us about your experiences of violence, whether you have been the victim of violence or if you have subjected someone else to violence. You can also tell us if someone else in your family has been subjected to violence or subjected someone else to violence.

We are actively working towards trying to find out if people we meet have experienced violence. Unless we ask you, it is important that you yourself tell us so that we can offer you support, provide you with information and refer you further so that you can get the help you need.

It may also be important to your case with the Swedish Migration Agency for us to know that you are living in a violent situation.

If you have been subjected to violence in your rela­tionship

If you have a residence permit as a family member to someone, you may, in certain cases, be granted an extended residence permit if your relationship has ended because you or your child have been subjected to violence by your partner. You can read more about in on the page The relationship has ended.

There is help avai­lable

If you are being subjected to a crime you should turn to the police, even if it feels difficult to talk about or you are very afraid. They can help you by taking your report and investigating the crime you have been subjected to. If they feel that it is necessary, they can also protect you in other ways, for example by giving you advice, an alarm, or providing a restraining order against the person who is threatening you. If you want to get in touch with the police but are not sure how or feel scared to do it, you can talk to us and we will help you.

If you are threatened or subjected to violence and need to hide, you can get help from a women's shelter or social services with sheltered accommodation. If you are not sure how to get in touch with someone who can provide you with sheltered accommodation, you can talk to us and we will help you.

If you have been subjected to violence, threats or sexual abuse

It can be difficult to leave a relationship or a family and to share your experiences. But you are not alone. Many places offer support and help to change a situation or help to process something that has happened. With Swedish authorities, you have the right to have an interpreter if you do not understand or are unable to express yourself in Swedish. Here is information about where to turn:

For people who harm, inflict pain, inti­mi­date or violate others

Are you worried that you might be subjecting someone in your family to violence? Do you feel that you have problems controlling yourself, your anger or your reactions? Do you feel that you sometimes cross the line or are you afraid of hurting someone? It is possible to change unwanted behaviour and there is help available.