Violence in the family is violence carried out by family members or former family members.

The violence can consist of: 

Physical violence

• shoving
• hair pulling
• name calling
• hitting
• kicking
• denying someone food

Psychological violence

Many people are uncertain about whether they are being subjected to violence if the violence is not physical. Examples of psychological violence can consist of:

• threatening (directly or indirectly)
• controlling
• harassing
• ignoring
• lock someone inside or outside
• refusing someone to have contact with family or friends
• refusing someone to move freely in society, for example to take part in Norwegian classes
• isolating someone
• refusing to let someone express their opinions 

Sexual violence

• pressuring someone into sexual acts
• rape
• other sexual abuse 

Economic violence

• destroying things
• exploiting someone financially   

Help and protection for people who are victims of violence

• If you or your child is a victim of violence from a partner, family member or others, you can get help. You can be provided with safe accommodation at a crisis centre, guidance and legal assistance to report the matter to the police.
• You can also get an independent residence permit (please see information further down on the page).

Who can help you?

• The police: (+47) 02800 (emergency phone number: 112), if you wish to report someone to the police, if you are in danger or if you need advice.
• The child welfare service in your municipality or Alarmtelefonen (emergency hotline) for children and young people (external website) Phone: 116 111(from abroad: 00 47 95 41 17 55), email: alarm@116111.no.
• A crisis centre where you live (external website), to get help and a safe place to stay
• The UDI or the police district where you live can help you to apply for a residence permit.
• The Expert Team for the Prevention of Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (external website) can give you advice and guidance. You can contact them via email kompetanseteamet@bufdir.no or phone (+47) 478 09 050.

There are different types of residence permits that you may apply for if you have been the victim of physical or emotional violence.

• If you hold a family immigration permit or a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens and you have been a victim of abuse, you may apply for a residence permit for victims of abuse.
• If you have children in Norway whom you live with or whom you have access rights to, you can apply for family immigration with your child.
• If your marriage is annulled because you have been pressured or forced to marry (forced marriage), it may mean that you are entitled to a residence permit on an independent basis.
• If the person you were granted family immigration with has been granted protection in Norway, it is possible that you already hold a residence permit on an independent basis. 
• If it is unreasonable to demand that you return to your home country, for example because it is difficult to live there as a divorcee, this may entitle you to a residence permit.
• In very special situations, you may be granted residence on the grounds of strong humanitarian considerations.
• If you fear that you will be subjected to violence and abuse in your home country, you can apply for protection (asylum).

Contact the UDI or your local police  to find out if you qualify for any of these types of residence permits.

Powerpoint presentation which can be used on information screens in waiting rooms etc.

Presentation in several languages aimed at those who are victims of abuse (ppt, 4 MB) 

Information brochure in different languages

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Arabic (pdf, 270 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in English (pdf, 292 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Farsi (pdf, 268 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in French (pdf, 273 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Filipino (pdf, 292 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Norwegian (pdf, 271 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Russian (pdf, 294 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Somali (pdf, 273 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Thai (pdf, 292 kB)

Information about residence permit for victims of abuse in Urdu (pdf, 315 kB)

Informasjonsplakater på flere språk

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Arabic (pdf, 875 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in English (pdf, 508 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Farsi (pdf, 908 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in French (pdf, 884 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Norwegian (pdf, 898 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Russian (pdf, 866 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Somali (pdf, 863 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Filipino/tagalog (pdf, 863 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Thai (pdf, 897 kB)

Poster about residence permit for victims of abuse in Urdu (pdf, 874 kB)

• The Expert Team for the Prevention of Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (external website). Phone (+47) 478 09 050 or email kompetanseteamet@bufdir.no
• www.udiregelverk.no (external website)
• Et liv uten vold. Handlingsplan mot vold i nære relasjoner 2014-2017 ('A life without violence. Action Plan against Domestic Violence 2014–2017') (external website) 
• Action Plan against Negative Social Control, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (2017-2020) (external website)
• Freedom from Negative Social Control and Honour Based Violence (2021-2024) (external website)