Seek help for violence and abuse

Break the silence

Many victims of violence or abuse are reluctant to talk about it. This often results in victim passivity, making the barrier to help-seeking even higher.

Talking about it may make it easier to seek help. Talk to someone you trust, someone in your family, a neighbour, or someone at school. They can help you work out what to do and who to contact for help.

Dare to ask

It is also vital for us as neighbours, colleagues and friends to have the courage to follow up on what we are seeing and to dare to ask sensitive questions. If you dare to ask, a victim of violence may also find the courage to answer.

Report violence or abuse

If you learn that someone is being subjected to violence or abuse, or is at risk of harm, there are ways you can help. In some cases, you may also have a statutory duty to prevent such harm.

You can take action to prevent domestic violence and sexual offences by reporting your concern to the police or to the child welfare services, or by helping the victim to safety, for example, at a crisis centre, hospital or other safe place.

Learn more about how to avert and report violence and abuse at plikt.no.

What is violence and abuse?

There are many forms of violence and abuse. All of them are criminal offences.

Violence may be physical acts such as punching or kicking, or psychological acts, such as threats, degradation, controlling behaviour and humiliation. Violence may also be sexual assault, such as rape, incest or unwanted touching.

Abuse may be acts that frighten or distress the victim, such as material abuse; destruction of objects of value or other destruction that is frightening to witness, and financial abuse; material exploitation of the victim or preventing the victim from managing their own money.

Violence and abuse can occur in a domestic setting, such as in intimate partner relationships, and may be perpetrated against children or between siblings, or in other contexts such as at work, between friends and acquaintances, or in the public domain.

Where to get urgent help

Call the police on 02800

Are you being harmed or have you been threatened? Are you afraid of being assaulted or in fear for your life? Do you suspect that someone you know is the victim of violence and threats? Then contact the police.

Your call will be put through to your local police district, who will take action and advise you on what to do.

Learn more about what the police can help you with, and about police interventions on domestic violence (politiet.no).

Call the child and youth crisis hotline on 116 111

The crisis hotline is a freephone emergency telephone service for child and adolescent victims of assault, abuse or neglect. The hotline is open 24 hours a day. You can also contact the hotline by chat, text message or email.

Children can call if they are in distress, and adults can call if they need advice or know of children who are in distress.

Crisis hotline for children and adolescents 116 111

Contact the child welfare service where you live

Contact the child welfare service in your district if you or someone you know have been subjected to:

• violence or witnessing violence
• sexual assault
• parents under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• neglect
• female genital mutilation
• forced marriage

Look up contact information for the child welfare service where you live (barnevernvakten.no)

Contact your local crisis centre

If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact your nearest crisis centre. The crisis centres can assist you with protection, safety, advice and counselling.

A listing of all the crisis centres in Norway is provided here (dinutvei.no).

Go to your nearest assault centre

Are you a victim of rape or other sexual assault? The assault centres provide both medical care and counselling. The assault centres are free of charge and are open 24/7.

You do not need a referral from a doctor or anyone else, and you will receive help regardless of whether you wish to report the assault to the police or not.

A listing of all the assault centres in Norway is provided here (dinutvei.no).

Call the local out-of-hours medical service on 116 117

If you are a victim of violence or sexual assault, you can also contact your local out-of-hours medical service for help. The out-of-hours medical service can give you advice and put you in touch with the nearest assault centre.

Other places to get help and support

Contact your family doctor (GP)

You can talk to your GP about violence and abuse. The GP has a duty of confidentiality and is not allowed to share information about you with others unless you consent or there is a risk to life and health.

Your GP often has a good overview of your health and situation in life, can be a helpful conversation partner and has experience of helping people in distress.

Your GP can arrange for an interpreter if needed.

Your GP can refer you for other treatment if needed, or tell you about other places you can get help, such as a crisis centre or family welfare centre.

Contact your family doctor (GP)

Family welfare service

The family welfare service is a low-threshold service for families experiencing difficulties, conflicts or crises in the family. Parents can book an appointment themselves, and a referral from a doctor is not required. There are family welfare centres in all counties, and the service is free of charge.

Find your nearest family welfare centre (bufdir.no)

Other support services and voluntary organisations

There are many different support services for victims of violence and abuse. The perpetrators of violence and abuse can also seek effective help.