Gendered violence occurs at all levels of society and in all societies throughout the world. The Norwegian Government has played an active role at the international level in implementing measures designed to eliminate and prevent violence against women. In 2000, the Norwegian Government launched a three-year national programme of action as part of this ongoing effort. In 2004, a new action plan was initiated to reduce domestic violence and to improve services to victims, including children who have witnessed violence. Increased focus is also being directed towards men who commit acts of violence in order to prevent recurrence. The action plan is intended to increase the dissemination of information, enhance cross-sectoral cooperation and facilitate expertise within the help services.
A Norwegian Resource Centre for Studies on Violence and Traumatic Stress has now been established. The centre will carry out research on violence, and will disseminate information and research results on violence. It will look at the psychological and social ramifications of acts of violence and offer training programmes for professionals, e.g. within the police and health sectors, to improve their ability to deal with victims as well as perpetrators.
Norway has approximately 50 shelters providing protection to battered women and children. Many of these shelters are initiated and run by voluntary women's groups, and receive government and local funding. The Government also provides financial support to centres providing help to the victims of incest. In 2002, a position as family violence coordinator was established in each Norwegian police district to enhance police efforts to prevent domestic violence.
The number of immigrant women seeking help from shelters has risen in recent years. These women and their children are often in an extremely vulnerable situation, and the Government has launched action plans against forced marriages as well as against female genital mutilation. Initiatives are also underway to tailor services at the crisis centres more specifically to this group.
In Norway, assaults involving violence within the private sphere are prosecuted under the general provisions of the Penal Code. Victims of sexual or domestic violence are eligible to receive free legal aid. This applies to women who have been abused by their spouses or cohabitants as well as to prostitutes. In 1988, unconditional prosecution was introduced in all cases of domestic violence. A criminal case may be brought before the court even if the victim withdraws the formal report. Another effective means of combating violence against women lies in the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, which stipulate that an individual can be prohibited from entering a specific area or contacting another individual if there is reason to believe that the former will violate the latter’s right to be left peacefully alone.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs.