In 2013 the Government will present its new white paper on domestic violence where it takes stock of what has been achieved and what political challenges remain in this area. In this article Wenche Jonassen explores the different governments’ action plans against domestic violence of the past 30 years, and the various factors that may have promoted or inhibited progress in the field. What steps will be necessary in the future? And will they be identified and given consideration in the new action plan?