Violence and discrimination
Here you will find information about violence and discrimination.
Violence
Violence can be physical, psychological, economic, material or sexual. In Sweden it is a crime to threaten or hit someone. For example, it is not allowed to have sex with someone against his/her will. This also applies in a marriage.
If someone uses violence within the family, for example against their child or their wife/husband/partner then it is a crime that can result in jail time. Sweden has changed its laws to strengthen protection for violence against women and girls.
Honor-related violence and subjecting someone to genital mutilation are regarded as serious crimes in Sweden.
Who is practicing the violence?
The most common occurrence is that it is men who use violence against women but there are also men who are subjected to violence. In those cases, it is usually unknown men outside the home who commit the violent acts. For women, violence can occur both in the home and outside the home. When it comes to violence against women, it is often a man who has a close relationship with the woman who carries it out. Thus, a woman is usually subjected to domestic violence by someone she knows and may be dependent on, it may be a partner but it may also be a child, a sibling or other relatives.
Film tip – Violence in close relationships
See the film Violence in close relationships
External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Gender related violence – This is where you can turn
- Kvinnofridslinjen External link, opens in new window. Kvinnofridslinjen can offer counselling even in languages other than Swedish through an interpreter. Professionals and relatives of women who have been subjected to violence can also contact Kvinnofridslinjen for advice and support.
- The Swedish Police Authority External link, opens in new window.
- National Centre for Knowledge on Men’s Violence Against Women External link, opens in new window.
- Victim Support Sweden External link, opens in new window.
Locally, there are other organizations as well. Ask the municipality where you live. You can also turn to social services in your municipality. They can offer you help and support.
Sex offences
In Sweden there is a law that says you are not allowed to have sex with someone who is under the age of 15. The law is not there to prohibit two people who are the same age or about the same age from having sex with each other but to prevent an older person from taking advantage of someone who is younger.
In Sweden, it is forbidden to buy sex. The law came into effect in 1999. Since then, more countries have implemented similar laws, among others Norway, Canada and France.
Sexual consent law
In Sweden, as mentioned earlier, there is a special consent law that means that sex must be voluntary and if it is not so it is illegal. Under the law, having sex with a person who has not explicitly said yes to having sex is prohibited.
Film tip – Sexual Health and Rights
See the film Sexual Health and Rights External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Human trafficking and human exploitation
During war, human trafficking increases. Human trafficking may mean that the victim is forced into sexual acts, forced to work, forced to commit crimes, and more. Human trafficking is a criminal act.
Being subjected to human trafficking can be likened to being in an invisible prison. Traumatized people who find themselves alone in a foreign country without knowing the language do not need to be locked up to experience that they cannot see any ways to escape their situation.
According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, the EIGE, human trafficking for sexual purposes is the most common form of human trafficking in the EU and is to be regarded as a form of gender-based violence mostly affecting women and girls. Report to the police if you are subjected to human trafficking or if you suspect that someone else is.
Human exploitation is another crime and involves, among other things, the exploitation of someone for work under unreasonable conditions. Report to the police if you are subjected to human exploitation or if you suspect that someone else is.
Surrogate Motherhood
Surrogate maternity is forbidden in Sweden. The notion that it should not be allowed is based on moral grounds and issues of human trafficking and exploitation of women. The attitude in Sweden is that the so-called mater est rule applies — the principle that the woman who gives birth to a child should be considered the mother of the child.
Have you witnessed war crimes?
The Swedish police have a team investigating war crimes that may have occurred during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They want to hear from anyone who has been subjected to, or who has witnessed other civilians who have been subjected to, an armed attack or similar violence in Ukraine after 24 February 2022.
E-mail registrator.kansli@polisen.se and mark your message with “to the War Crimes Investigation Team”, or call the police’s Contact Centre at phone number 114 14 for help with contacting the right person.
Discrimination
Some groups in society are more vulnerable and there are therefore special laws that give them extra protection. Examples of such groups include women, children, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people.
The Discrimination Act protects you, among other things, from being discriminated against based on your gender, ethnic affiliation, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Not everyone identifies as female or male but also as trans, queer or nonbinary. In Sweden, everyone has the right to express their identity as they wish without risking discrimination.
Equal treatment no matter who one is
Thus, no one should have to risk being discriminated against, but if it does happen, you can act. Under the Discrimination Act, it is forbidden for companies and organisations to treat some people more badly than others. You can turn to the Discrimination Ombudsman, DO, if you are discriminated against. The Discrimination Ombudsman is a government agency that works for everyone's equal rights and opportunities.
If you are instead subjected to some form of violation from a private individual due to belonging to a particular group, that may be a crime that should be reported to the police.
Rights for LGBTQ people
One of the groups that are often vulnerable in both Sweden and the rest of the world is the group LGBTQ people. LGBTQ stands for gay, bisexual, transgender people and people with queer expressions and identities. In Sweden, everyone has the same rights and opportunities regardless of sexual orientation or identity perception. Examples of that include same-sex couples since 2003 having the right to adopt children and since 2005 lesbian couples have access to assisted conception. In 2009, the right to enter into same-sex marriage came into force. Another example is that people undergoing gender-corrective treatment are not forced into sterilization.
Film tip – The Right to Choose a Partner
See the film The Right to Choose a Partner External link, opens in new window.
"Börja prata om"-filmerna är framtagna av MILSA utbildningsplattform och Informationsverige.se tillsammans.
