Psychological violence will become punishable from July 1

On July 1, psychological violence in close relationships will become a separate crime. The government is now presenting its bill.

Psychological violence refers to repeated violations in the form of insults, threats, coercion or surveillance. The violations must be intended to seriously damage the victim's self-esteem.

The new crime is also considered to include situations such as attempts to "convert" someone's sexual orientation by threat or coercion, forcing someone to wear a veil, and certain forms of economic violence.

"Psychological violence often precedes physical violence, and by criminalizing it we increase the possibilities of detecting and addressing systematic violence at an early stage," says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) in a written statement.