Physical violence can be pushing/shoving, kicking, punching, strangulation, restraint or striking with a weapon. Passive, physical violence can be that one person exposes another person to an act of violence that has physical consequences, such as denying someone sleep.

Verbal abuse, threats, isolation, blackmail or control that gradually cause a victim to break down psychologically.

Psychological violence can also be the indirect threat of suicide or a threat directed at another close relative.

Sexual violence involves forcing someone to engage in or witness sexual acts against their will. This may involve rape, but it can also be sexual harassment (for example, unwelcome touching). Exchanging money or other compensation for sexual services is always illegal, as it involves the exploitation of another person. This applies regardless of the amount or form of compensation.

Material abuse means that the perpetrator misuses a person’s property, or destroys or forces the victim to destroy property of special importance. Violence directed against pets is also considered to be material abuse.

Financial abuse may be that someone controls how a partner can use his or her own money or does not allow the partner to have any of his or her own money. It can also be that the perpetrator forces the partner to take out a loan, takes controls of the victim’s finances and material assets to increase isolation, vulnerability and to make the victim financially dependent.

Neglect may be that the victim does not receive the help he or she needs in terms of food, medicine or hygiene. More specifically, neglect may be not getting help to get out of bed or being given the wrong medication dosage.

Latent violence means that there is a continuous fear or worry of violence. It can be anger or aggression that manifests itself in the perpetrator’s posture and body language, which creates fear and is perceived to be a threat or reminds the victim of previous experiences of violence.

Social services

You are always welcome to contact social services in the municipality where you are registered. The interventions that social services offers to victims of violence can vary, but most municipalities provide counselling, support meetings and financial assistance. Social services can also arrange contact with local crisis centres and assist with temporary sheltered housing.

Health and medical care

The Healthcare Guide 1177 has information for those who have been exposed to violence in close relationships.

Violence in close relationships (in Swedish) (1177.se) External link.

The Swedish Police

Always ring 112 if you need emergency assistance.
The Swedish Police information page on crimes in close relationships.

Crime in close relationships (polisen.se) External link.

Hedersfortryck.se

Information for those exposed to violence and those who want to learn more about honour-related violence and oppression. 

For people who are employed or work as volunteers and need advice and consultation on issues related to honour-related violence and oppression, there is a support number: 010‑223 57 60.

Hedersfortryck.se (in Swedish) External link.

Kvinnofridslinjen – Sweden’s National Women’s Helpline

The national helpline offers help and advice, ranging from emotional to practical support and signposting to other services that can help. The helpline is open 24 hours a day and provide support to all callers, regardless if you are affected by any form of gendered/violence and abuse or calling on behalf of a relative or friend. You can remain anonymous on the call. The phone call is free and will not be shown on the telephone bill. However, kindly note that you need to delete the number from your call list if you do not want the helpline number to show on your recent calls.

Telephone number: 020‑50 50 50.

Kvinnofridslinjen – Sweden’s National Women’s Helpline (kvinnofridslinjen.se) External link.

Victim support guide

Guide for those who are the victim of a crime.

Victim support guide (in Swedish) (brottsofferguiden.se) External link.

Brottsofferjouren – Victim Support Sweden

Offers support to those who are the victim of a crime.

Victim Support Sweden (brottsofferjouren.se) External link.

Dinarattigheter.se

Offers information for those exposed to honour-related violence and oppression.

Dinarattigheter.se (in Swedish) (karlekenarfri.se) External link.

Jourhavande medmänniska (on-call volunteers when you need someone to talk to)

A volunteer organisation that offers support via chat and telephone.

Jourhavande medmänniska (in Swedish) (jourhavande-medmanniska.se) External link.

Roks – The National Organisation for Women’s Shelters and Young Women's Shelters

Roks and Unizon have crisis centres (shelters) around the country that offer support for women and young girls.

Roks (roks.se) External link, opens in new window.

Unizon (unizonjourer.se) External link, opens in new window.

Q-jouren crisis centre

For women exposed to violence who have experienced abuse and been subject to prostitution. At Qjouren, there is no requirement that a woman who is seeking support, protection and information about her rights needs to be drug free.

Q-jouren crisis centre (in Swedish) (qjouren.se) External link, opens in new window.

RFSL – The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights’ support service

For LGBTQI people who have been exposed to harassment, threats or violence.

RFSL Support service (rfsl.se) External link, opens in new window.

National Association for the Prevention of Incest and Other Childhood Sexual Abuse

For women who have been sexually abused in childhood.

National Association for the Prevention of Incest and Other Childhood Sexual Abuse (in Swedish) (rise-sverige.se) External link, opens in new window.

Rikskriscentrum – National Association of Swedish Crisis Centres for Men

An umbrella organisation for operations that work to provide support to men in crisis. Here you can find contact information for crisis centres for men around the country.

Rikskriscentrum – National Association of Swedish Crisis Centres for Men (rikskriscentrum.se) External link, opens in new window.

Terrafem

Crisis line for women with a foreign background. The call will not show up on your phone bill. But remember that if you do not want the phone number to show in the list of recently dialled numbers, you will need to delete the number from the list yourself.

Telephone number: 020‑52 10 10.

Terrafem (terrafem.org) External link, opens in new window.

TRIS

Tris is a support line for those who are exposed to honour-related violence and oppression.

TRIS (in Swedish) (tris.se) External link, opens in new window.