You can talk to the police about what is happening without deciding to report. If you do report, the police can protect you in several ways, and there is support and compensation for victims.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each service was checked against its own website on 6 November 2026. Rules change: read what the service itself says before you decide.
Who can help
Talking to the police and reporting
The police can listen, give advice, take a report, investigate and check if you need protection. Every police district has experts on family violence.
Who it is for Anyone exposed to violence or abuse, now or long ago. You can talk to them first without deciding to report or giving your name. In serious cases they may act anyway.
First step Contact your local police and ask to talk to someone who works with people under threat. Violence cannot be reported online, so agree with them how to report.
Restraining order (besøksforbud) and contact ban (kontaktforbud)
A ban on visiting, following or contacting you in any way. The police can give a besøksforbud, even for a shared home. A court gives a kontaktforbud after a conviction.
Who it is for People living with threats, violence or fear. You do not need to report the person first.
First step Ask the police for a besøksforbud. A victim's lawyer (bistandsadvokat) can help you. The police assess it, and a court then checks their decision.
Mobile violence alarm and reverse violence alarm
A phone-like alarm that puts you straight through to the police, who see where you are. With a reverse alarm, the person who hurt you must wear an ankle tag.
Who it is for People exposed to violence or threats. You do not need to report anyone to get a mobile alarm.
First step Contact the police, or have someone do it for you. They assess your situation. A mobile alarm is given for three months at a time and can be renewed.
Protected address (adressesperre)
Your address is hidden in the National Population Register (code 7, or the stricter code 6). It does not hide what you share yourself or what is online.
Who it is for People at serious risk of crime against their life, health or freedom, for example from violence in a close relationship.
First step Talk to your local police (or the child welfare service, if it is involved). You cannot apply yourself: the police assess the threat and propose it.
Victim's lawyer (bistandsadvokat)
A lawyer paid by the state who supports you if you report: in police interviews, during the investigation and in any trial.
Who it is for If you are exposed to domestic violence you usually have the right, if the violence was serious or repeated. You can get a free meeting before you decide to report.
First step Choose a lawyer yourself and ask for a free first meeting, or ask the police, who must tell you about this right. The court appoints the lawyer.
Support Centre for Crime Victims
Free support from centres in every police district: information about reporting, support until the case is decided, witness support and information on compensation.
Who it is for Anyone exposed to crime such as violence, threats or sexual abuse, and their relatives. Mainly for people who report, but anyone can get in touch.
First step Call the support centres' national phone line, open Monday to Friday 09:00–15:00. Staff have a duty of confidentiality and can arrange an interpreter.
Criminal injuries compensation (voldserstatning)
The state can pay compensation to people exposed to violent or sexual crimes, for physical and psychological harm and for financial loss.
Who it is for People exposed to crimes listed in the law, such as abuse in a close relationship. The crime must be reported to the police; there are no exceptions.
First step Take the office's online test to see if you may qualify, then apply with the online form (there is an English form). It is free to apply.
Good to know If no court has decided the compensation, the person who hurt you becomes a party to the case and may in principle see its documents.
Numbers
Support Centre for Victims of Crime
Call 800 40 008Help with reporting, the case process, witness support and claiming compensation. In every police district.
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Call 78 98 95 00Apply for compensation after violence. The deadline is one year after the criminal case is finally decided.
Phone Mon, Wed and Thu 12:00–14:00.
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Other topics
- Money to live on in NorwayHelp with money when you leave an abusive partner in Norway: Nav social assistance, help in an emergency, single-parent support, child support and free debt advice.
- A safe place to live in NorwaySomewhere safe to stay when you leave violence in Norway: crisis centres for women, men and children, temporary housing from Nav, and help with the rent.
- Free legal help in NorwayFree or low-cost legal help in Norway when you live with violence: free legal aid, a victim's lawyer, and the student-run legal clinics JURK, Jussbuss, Jussformidlingen and Jusshjelpa.
- Children, custody and contact in NorwayHelp for children and parents after violence in Norway: family counselling offices and mediation, Statens barnehus, child welfare services and supervised contact.
- Your residence permit if you leave in NorwayIf your residence permit in Norway depends on your partner: the UDI rule for people who have been abused, crisis centres for everyone, and your right to an interpreter.
- Health care and help after sexual assault in NorwayHealth care after violence in Norway: the out-of-hours medical centre, sexual assault centres, your GP, and support centres for people who have been sexually abused.
- Help for particular groups in NorwayHelp in Norway for men, LGBTQ+ people, older people, disabled people, Sámi people and people facing forced marriage or negative social control.