Construction and development of the helplines
An average number of 50 000 calls are answered every year by Kvinnofridslinjen. In 2023 NCK opened the support lines for men and transgender people. All victims of violence, relatives or people who encounter victims of violence at work can call the helplines for support and advice.
The national helplines are run by the National Centre for Knowledge on Men’s Violence against Women (NCK) at Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital. They are run on behalf of the government and in accordance with the requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and violence in close relationships (Istanbul Convention).
NCK has a mandate from the government to raise national awareness of men's violence against women, honour-related violence and oppression, and violence in same-sex relationships. NCK also has a government mandate to provide support to women who are victims of violence.
History and mission
The National Women’s Centre was founded in 1994 and was a special centre providing care and support to women subjected to violence. It was initially part of the women’s clinic at Uppsala University Hospital, but moved to its own premises in 2001. The Centre has always had a close collaboration with Uppsala University. The government agreed to reform the centre in 2006, and it was given its current name National Centre for Knowledge on Men’s Violence against Women, NCK.
With the reform NCK was commissioned to:
- spread knowledge about and develop methods for the care of women who have been subjected to violence,
- raise awareness about men's violence against women,
- offer university courses on men’s violence against women in collaboration with Uppsala University,
- monitor, compile, and disseminate research findings in the field of men's violence against women,
- educate medical staff and other professionals who are likely to meet women subjected to violence,
- conduct research related to the clinical work in the field of men’s violence against women,
- function as a consulting body to other organisations and authorities in Sweden,
- provide support to women subjected to violence as well as to their friends and relatives.
Kvinnofridslinjen
On the 4th of December 2007, the national helpline Kvinnofridslinjen was launched by the Minister of Integration and Equal Opportunities, Nyamko Sabuni. The event was preceded by a year of extensive preparations at the National Centre for Knowledge on Men’s Violence Against Women in Uppsala.
The need for a national helpline turned out to be vast. Already during the first month, an average of 100 incoming calls was registered per day. A total of 37,841 calls were registered during the first twelve months. The number of calls has increased steadily over the years Kvinnofridslinjen has been in operation. Last year, in 2023, the number of registered calls were up to 50 000 per year.
Report of the development of Kvinnofridslinjen
The construction and development of Kvinnofridslinjen during its first year in running is presented in a report.
Helpline for a heterogeneous group
Women who are subjected to violence is a large and heterogeneous group encompassing women from all strata of society, at all ages. However, there are common experiences and understanding about what it means to be exposed to violence, as well as the consequences and the needs that arise because of it. This knowledge is the basis for the development of Kvinnofridslinjen.
Above all, it is important to offer support for the victim in seeking help. Many women who are subjected to violence live with a partner who controls them. It may therefore be difficult to seek help, without running the risk of being subjected to further violence. Hence, efforts to help must be adapted to their life situations.
Always open
Women who are or have been subjected to threats and physical, psychological and sexual violence can call Kvinnofridslinjen for support and advice. Friends, relatives and professionals are also welcome to call.
Kvinnofridslinjen is always open, so that women can call whenever they have the opportunity and whenever it is convenient, whether it is an emergency situation or if the call is the result of a decision that developed over time. Calls are free of charge and are operated by well-trained and experienced social workers and nurses who refer callers to locally available specialist support services. The staff is bound by secrecy and the caller can remain anonymous. Staff members speak both Swedish and English, but it is also possible to use an interpreter in most languages.
Many callers have expressed that they appreciate being able to call at any time, when they have the possibility or when they have the energy to act.
Support Line for Men and Support Line for Transgender People
The national support line for men and the support line for transgender people, is for those who have been subjected to physical or psychological violence by someone close to them or to sexual violence.
An NCK commission to build, develop and operate a pilot national telephone support line for men and transgender people of violence was launched in November 2021 by the Swedish Government. This resulted in the opening of two support lines, the support line for men and the support line for transgender people on 15 February 2023. Both support lines are run under the auspices of NCK and Kvinnofridslinjen. During the first year, the support lines have answered more calls than expected. An average number of 3000 calls for men and 500 calls for transgender people were registered during the first twelve months. Friends, relatives and professionals supporting men and transgender people are also welcome to call.
The main purpose of the support lines is to listen to the caller and refer them to suitable locally available special support services. The staff is bound by secrecy and the caller can remain anonymous. The calls are free of charge.
The number to the support line for men is 020-80 80 80 and is open every day between 07:00 and 21:00. The support line for transgender people is open between 11:00 and 19:00 and the number 202-55 00 00.
Like Kvinnofridslinjen, the staff speak Swedish and English, but can also connect with an interpreter when required. The helplines can only be reached by callers inside Sweden.
Building a broad awareness of the helplines requires a long-term communication effort over several years, where information and channels are developed to find new ways to reach those who are not yet aware of the helplines. The elements built up during the project are a good basis for disseminating information, but further efforts are needed to maintain and increase awareness of the helplines so that all victims, relatives and professionals are aware of them and the support they can offer.
Information and marketing
The three helplines are widely advertised with information cards and posters which are displayed for example in hospitals, health centres, schools, and job centres. Information cards are available in over 32 languages as well as Braille, and all information materials can be ordered free of charge in order to ensure widespread coverage.