The Church Takes Action Against
Photo: Jeppe Gustafsson/TT

The Church Takes Action Against Relationship Violence

The Swedish Church is gathering strength to improve its ability to detect and prevent violence in close relationships. It has become clear to us that we need to improve our knowledge, says Marit Norén, priest and method developer at the Church Office in Uppsala, to TT.

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Every year, 10 to 15 women are murdered by a partner or former partner. One in ten children grows up in a home where violence occurs.

On the assignment of the Church Assembly, the Church of Sweden has been tasked with detecting violence in close relationships and preventing it. Among other things, a web-based training program will be developed and offered to the church's employees.

When it comes to detecting violence, much of it is about meeting people, we need to increase our knowledge to be able to see more signs. We also need to show that we can be a safe place so that people dare to tell, says Marit Norén.

To prevent violence in close relationships, Norén believes that work with young people can be strengthened, including in the church's own activities.

It's about creating safe environments for young people, free from, for example, bullying and inequality, which can lead to violence, she says.

Norén also says that the church will increase knowledge about, for example, economic violence and post-violence, that is, violence that continues after a relationship has ended.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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