For women

You are not alone

Partner abuse happens at every level of society, at every age and in every culture. The person doing it can be charming in public and someone else at home. That does not make it less true.

Abuse often escalates around big changes: pregnancy, after a birth, and when the relationship ends.

Leaving can be the most dangerous time. Talk to a crisis centre about a plan before you go — that is what they are there for.

When the children are used against you

Children who see or hear violence are victims of it too. Getting help is protecting them, and crisis centres take your children in with you.

Many abusers use the children to keep control: threats that you will lose them, that they will take them away, or that they will tell child welfare you are a bad mother. After a break-up, handovers and contact visits can become the place where the abuse carries on.

It is the person using violence — not you, for asking for help — who puts the children at risk.

• Tell the crisis centre and the family counselling service about the violence. You can ask to meet them separately.
• If contact is not safe for the child, a Norwegian court can order supervised contact, or no contact at all.
• If you face violence in a close relationship, you can get free legal advice without a means test.

• Find your crisis centre

  Each crisis centre has its own 24-hour number. By law they must take in women, men and children — free, no referral needed.

  24/7, all year (required by law).

  krisesenter.com

• Free legal aid

  If you face violence in a close relationship you can get free legal advice, with no means test, while you decide whether to report.

  sivilrett.no

• Violence and Abuse Helpline (VO-linjen)

  Call 116 006

  For everyone experiencing violence or abuse in a close relationship — women and men, and family and friends. Free and anonymous.

  Phone 24/7. Chat Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00.

  Chat · volinjen.no

A child must always be protected from violence, whichever parent is using it.

Who can help in Norway

• Violence and Abuse Helpline (VO-linjen)

  Call 116 006

  For everyone experiencing violence or abuse in a close relationship — women and men, and family and friends. Free and anonymous.

  Phone 24/7. Chat Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00.

  Chat · volinjen.no

• Find your crisis centre

  Each crisis centre has its own 24-hour number. By law they must take in women, men and children — free, no referral needed.

  24/7, all year (required by law).

  krisesenter.com

• DinUtvei.no

  Norway's national guide to violence and abuse, with a directory of help services near you. Run by NKVTS.

  dinutvei.no

See also the safety plan and how to hide your visit. Outside Norway? See outside Norway.