Violence and abuse

Our research shows that five percent of the Norwegian population have been subjected to severe violence from a parent at some time during their childhood. Over 20 percent of women have been subjected to sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.

The prevalence of violence in Norway has unfortunately changed little since the end of the 1980s. Almost one third of the population, 22 percent of women and 44 percent of men, state to have been subjected to severe physical violence after the age of 18, while nine percent of women and a little below two percent of men have been raped during their lifetime.

Partner violence

As many Norwegian women and men, 17 percent, have been subjected to physical violence from an intimate partner. For men, this violence was for the most part less severe, while over nine percent of women have been subjected to severe intimate partner violence.

Typology of violence

The WHO presents a typology of violence which distinguishes four modes in which violence may be inflicted: physically, sexually and psychologically, and being deprived.

The term “violence in close relationships” is violence and abuse that is directed towards family members, intimate partners, children, siblings and parents, or violence against someone who is a permanent coinhabitant of the same residence.