royal ministry of justice and the police the minister national action plan to combat domestic...

Royal Ministry of Justice and the PoliceThe Minister

National Action Plan to combat domestic violence

• National Action Plan as a tool to combat domestic violence

• The Norwegian experience • Extent of domestic violence in Norway• Organizational framework for the work of combating

domestic violence in Norway • The Action Plan to combat domestic violence ( 2000 –

2003 )• The Action Plan to combat domestic violence ( 2004 –

2007 )


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• National Action Plan as a tool to combat

domestic violence • Translate political will into practical and

appropriate action. • As a tool to put domestic violence on the agenda• As a tool to coordinate the governments activity

to combat domestic violence• Make the agency/ministry/service which are

responsible to carry out each measure visible• Make a system of the efforts to combat domestic

violence• As a tool to generate funding



• Establish an interdepartmental group to coordinate and implement the the activities from the action plan

• Establish a coordinating position in one of the involved ministries

• Establish routines for reporting on activities to reduce domestic violence


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• The Norwegian experience

• National Plan of Action to combat violence against woman( 2000 – 2003 )

• National Plan of Action to combat domestic violence ( 2004 – 2007 )

• National Plan of Action against forced marriages• National Plan of Action against female genital

mutilation


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Extent of domestic violence in Norway

• The extent of domestic violence against women and children is not known exactly. This applies to abuse of women, physical abuse of children, children as witnesses to violence and child sexual abuse. However, a number of studies clearly indicate that such violence is far more widespread than initially assumed.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence Nationwide study

In May 2005 the results of a nationwide survey on domestic violence was presented. Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) conducted the survey. The survey was designed as a mail survey, and the response rate amounted to 59.4 %. The nationwide representative sample constituted 4618 respondents of men and women aged 20 – 54 years.

In the survey among 2143 ever-partnered woman 580 (27.1 %)- reported any violence or threats during current or former relationship. The proportion over ever-partnered woman reporting severe partner violence (attempted strangulation, use of weapons, beating head against an object or wall) was 9.3 %.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence“A week to count”• In 2003 and 2005 the Ministry of Justice carried out a

mapping the confirmed the seriousness of the problem. The project “A week to count” counted the number of referrals related to domestic violence to several services nationwide. The project showed that domestic violence is still a great problem and challenge in Norway. The registration is the first of its kind among the Nordic countries. A total of 285 different offices and units participated in the project. The purpose of the project is to provide a "snap shot" of domestic violence. This registration is not scientifically based and is not extensive in order to count how many on an annual basis is affected by domestic violence.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violenceResults• The Ministry of Justice and the Police's registration shows that

more than a thousand enquiries were made by someone experiencing violence from someone in the family or someone they have a close relationship to.

• About 2000 children were in the same week reported as witnesses or affected by threats or violence from someone they have in their immediate family environment.

• Most of the children were relatively young; many were under 7 years old.

• The perpetrators were mostly men. In about 85% of the cases the perpetrator was a man.

• In about 60% of the cases physical violence was reported, threats and other types of harassment occurred in 40 % of the cases.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Organizational framework for the work of combating

domestic violence in Norway• The responsibility for coordinating the Government’s efforts to

combat domestic violence lies with the Ministry of Justice and the Police, and a coordinating position was established in the ministry in 2000.

• Domestic violence cannot be combated with the use of criminal policy instruments alone. An effective fight against violence requires close cooperation with other central government authorities with responsibility for health, social welfare and gender equality issues. To meet the need for coordination at central government level, a cross-ministerial working group has been set up. This group consists of representatives of the Ministries of Health, Social Affairs, Children and Family Affairs, and Justice and the Police. As well as ensuring the implementation of action plans, the group draws up proposals for future efforts to combat domestic violence.



The Action Plan to combat violence against women (2000-2003)

The Norwegian government’s first action plan (2000-2003) to combat violence against women was concluded in November 2003. The plan was a joint project between four ministries; the Ministry of Justice, Social Affairs, Health, and Children and Family Affairs. The Ministry of Justice performed a coordinating function for the work involved. The programme consisted of a wide range of activities to

reduce domestic violence and to improve services to victims.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Focus of the Action plan

• Focus was directed at improving existing measures and achieving enhanced competence among all actors. This included competence-enhancement and improved networking at the local level between all responsible actors such as police, social welfare services, childcare services, staff from shelters, etc. Improved research and routines for registration of information were also in focus.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violenceMeasures• Security alarms - In 1997, a project was launched to equip all

women in Norway who have been violently treated or threatened by their ex-husbands or ex-common law husbands or live-in boyfriends, with security alarms. While the first alarms could only be used in the home, alarms currently in use are part of a mobile system based on a universal positioning system of great accuracy. The alarms give immediate access to the police in an emergency. The alarm project, issued through the police authorities, became permanent in 1999, and is fully financed by the State.

• Police coordinators - To help police in their efforts to combat

domestic violence, a position as family violence coordinator was established in every police district in Norway in July 2002. The coordinators have undergone special training and a locally adapted handbook has been developed to guide their work.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Competence Centre for Aid to Victims of Violence - A competence

centre with government funding was established in 1996. Its mandate was to disseminate information on violence among professionals and to provide education and strengthen competence in the field. Since 2004, the centre has permanently become a part of a new National Centre of Competence on Violence and Traumatic Stress, established in January 2004.

• Commission on Violence against Women - In August 2001, the

Norwegian government established a Commission on Violence against Women. The commission submitted its final report in December 2003. According to its terms of reference, the final report from the commission contains an overview of issues relating to violence against women, proposals concerning the legal system, social services, women’s shelters and health care. In addition, the commission has discussed questions concerning children as witnesses to violence.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violenceThe Action Plan to combat domestic violence 2004

– 2007 Based on the good experience gained through utilizing

a plan of action as a tool for strengthening the work to combat domestic violence, the Norwegian government launched a new plan of action for the period 2004-2007 in June 2004.

While the previous action plan all but lacked a children’s perspective, the new one has given children a main focus.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• The plan has four main goals: • Reinforcing the interactive competence and knowledge

of assistance services• Increasing the visibility of violence in intimate

relationships and improving the prevention of violence through behavioural change

• Securing victims of violence in intimate relationships the necessary help, protection and assistance

• Breaking down the spiral of violence by reinforcing forms of treatment available to perpetrators of violence


National Action Plan to combat domestic violenceMeasures• Financial support will be given to the production of an animated

film “Sinna Mann” (Angry Man). This film will, for example, be used in conversations with children and adults about domestic violence. Advice on how to use the film will be prepared.

• The Government will draw up an information strategy aiming to break down taboos and increase knowledge about and awareness of domestic violence. The project “A week to count” is parts of this strategy were the aim is to gain public awareness about domestic violence.

• A pilot project is initiated, whereby routine questions are asked about violence during maternity check-ups. The purpose of the project is to develop methods to uncover violence. The project will include routines and measures for cooperation and follow-up of any violence that is discovered.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• A survey is carried out of the number of women who

are turned away by the women’s shelters and the reasons for this. The survey will form the basis for an assessment of suitable measures for abused women with special problems, such as a mental illness or drug or alcohol-related problems.

• The health services that are available at local level to

victims of violence and rape will be strengthened.

• Measures will be prepared and implemented with a view to building up the health services’ capabilities as regards examinations, securing evidence and documentation in rape cases.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• The work of the police on domestic violence will be

strengthened. • Further development of the police family violence

coordinator scheme. • The statistical tools used by the police to register

family violence will be enhanced. • Violence alarms, restraining orders, temporary

accommodation, and special protection of personal data are some of the forms of police protection that may be used in cases of domestic violence. In extraordinary cases, when other protective measures are deemed to be inadequate, permission may be given to use a fictive identity.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• The Government will attach importance to the work of

preventing and combating domestic violence by increasing the focus on treatment of the perpetrators. These efforts will be directed at the persons who use violence and at their violence problems.

• The Government will contribute to the systematic development of support and treatment services for perpetrators of violence and abusers. Its objective is to prevent the use of violence and ensure that help is available as close as possible to home or work.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• In 2006 the government established a Commission on

rape and sexual abuse. Rape mainly affects women and represents a particular challenge to the legal system and to the health services. The Government finds it a matter for concern that both the frequency of reported cases and the number of cases that result in a conviction are low. Furthermore, the quality, content and organization of the health services that are available to victims of rape vary considerably from one part of Norway to another. The Commission are supposed to propose measures to ensure that victims of rape, will to a greater degree, be met by a support and legal system with knowledge and expertise about their special, vulnerable situation.



• In 2007 the government will carry out a pilot project concerning the use of satellite tracking technology ( GPS ) to monitor offenders violating ban on visits ( restraining orders )Similar projects have been carried out in Spain, USA and Great Britain.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Legal framework

• From 1. of January 2006, domestic violence is a specific offence in Norway. Violent attacks in the private sphere come under the provisions of the Penal Code article § 219 .

• In 1988, unconditional prosecution was introduced in cases of domestic violence. A criminal case may be brought before the court, even if the woman withdraws the formal report.

• It has been ruled that the provision regarding free legal aid for abused women, includes women subjected to domestic violence from spouses and cohabitants, as well as prostitutes and pimps.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence• Assaulted and sexually abused women are protected

against repeated violence from the abuser. In an amendment, January 1 1995 to the Criminal Procedure Act (§ 222a), a person can be prohibited from entering a specific area, following, visiting or otherwise contacting another person ( restraining order ). This can be done if there is specific reason to believe that the person will commit a criminal act against or otherwise violate the other person’s right to be left peacefully alone. If a ban pursuant to section 222a of the Criminal Procedure Act on visiting another person is violated, the person violating the ban, if certain conditions are met, is arrested and remanded in custody.



• The Criminal Procedure Act ( § 22a Chapter 17 a regarding “ban on visits etc” was changed and revised in 2002 and 2003 ; on 10 January 2003, changes in the rules regulating ban on visits took effect. The changes are meant inter alia to provide better protection for persons exposed to violence from others in their own household. Section 222 of the Norwegian Criminal Procedure Act provides clear legal authority for prohibiting a person subject to such a ban from staying in his own home.


National Action Plan to combat domestic violence “§ 219. Any person who by threats, duress, deprivation of liberty,

violence or any other wrong grossly or repeatedly maltreatsa) his or her former or present spouse,b) his or her former or present spouse’s kin in direct line of descent,c) his or her kin in direct line of ascent,d) any person in his or her household, ore) any person in his or her careshall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.If the maltreatment is gross or the aggrieved person dies or sustains considerable harm to body or health as a result of the treatment, the penalty shall be imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years. In deciding whether the maltreatment is gross, particular importance shall be attached to whether it has endured for a long time and whether such circumstances as are referred to in section 232 are present.



For any further information please contact

Senioradvisor Line NersnæsMinistry of Justice and the PoliceNorwayTel. + 47 22 24 54 31E – mail: [email protected]

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