New National Strategy for a society free from violence, oppression and exploitation

Today, far too many people are subjected to violence, oppression and control in their daily lives, starting at an early age. Domestic violence affects many people – primarily girls and women but also boys and men. Violence also occurs in LGBTIQ relationships. Women and girls similarly comprise the majority of individuals in Sweden who are exploited in prostitution, human trafficking for sexual purposes, or who are subjected to sexual exploitation. However, boys and men are also exploited. 

Honour-based violence and oppression needs more attention and visibility. Everyone, irrespective of sex, must have the same rights and opportunities throughout their lives to live without being restricted by collectively sanctioned honour-based norms.  Awareness of how honour-based violence and oppression can differ from other types of violence is an important prerequisite for effectively preventing violence, for taking targeted measures and for providing the right support to victims.

The Government is now adopting a new national strategy for the period 2026–2035. The aim of the strategy is to contribute to effective, sustainable and coordinated measures to combat men’s violence against women, domestic violence, exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking, and honour-based violence and oppression. 

“Violence, oppression and exploitation have no place in our society. The Government is now presenting a powerful strategy for the next 10 years, guided by a vision zero approach towards deadly violence against women and focusing on bringing honour-based violence to an end,” says Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.

“No one should have to live in fear of violence, oppression or exploitation. With this strategy and a vision zero approach to deadly violence against women, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term, preventive and cross-societal efforts – so that all women and children receive the protection and support they need,” says Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

“No one should have to live in fear on a daily basis. The Government is now presenting a new and ambitious strategy to stop men’s violence against women so that everyone in Sweden can live in freedom from violence, oppression and exploitation,” says Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.

Measures to achieve the gender equality policy sub-goals against violence, oppression and exploitation will target five strategic areas identified in the strategy. These are violence prevention, detection of violence, support and protection for victims of violence, law enforcement and prevention of recidivism. 

Three basic premises are to be mainstreamed throughout the work: rights-based measures and an enhanced crime victim perspective, tailored collaboration to combat all areas of violence and knowledge-based efforts. Work in accordance with the strategy will be guided by the Government’s vision zero for deadly violence against women which includes all deadly violence regardless of whether it occurs in or unconnected to an intimate relationship, or in an honour-based context.

National collaboration structure and enhanced monitoring

A clear structure is needed to enhance collaboration and strengthen the implementation of work in this field in accordance with this strategy. The Government has therefore tasked the Swedish Gender Equality Agency with coordinating efforts in a national collaboration structure. Within this structure, 17 national government agencies and the county administrative boards will develop measures within their respective operational areas to help prevent and combat violence based on the strategy’s basic premises and identified strategic areas. 

In various ways, the government agencies included in the collaboration structure are central to the implementation of the strategy’s strategic areas. Inter alia, it involves agencies that come into contact with people subjected to - or at risk of being subjected to - violence. 

The Government has also tasked the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare and Statistics Sweden with establishing indicators to follow up the zero vision for deadly violence against women and the gender equality policy sub-goals against violence, oppression and exploitation, taking into account the national strategy and its strategic areas and basic premises.