Legal assistance
If you have been the victim of sexual violence, domestic violence or other serious violence, you are entitled to assistance from a lawyer free of charge.
Before reporting the violence you are entitled to three hours with a lawyer free of charge.
If you report the incident, the lawyer will accompany you to the police. The lawyer will also be available throughout the investigation and during any subsequent court case.
The lawyer can help you claim compensation.
If the case is dropped, the lawyer can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.
If you are not entitled to a free lawyer, you can apply for free legal aid.
Reporting violence and rape to the police
You can report any unlawful incident to the police.
The police are obliged to observe confidentiality.
You can take a lawyer with you or somebody whom you trust.
If you report an incident to the police, the police can launch an investigation and the person you report can be punished.
The police can give you a personal attack alarm.
The police can issue an injunction against the person who attacked you, banning them from approaching you.
Compensation for victims
You can apply for compensation from The Norwegian Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (Kontoret for voldserstatning) if you have been subjected to violence and have reported it to the police.
Tell the police if you want to claim compensation from your attacker.
Have you been raped? What to do next
Get help
Oslo Emergency Medical Agency (Oslo Legevakt) – Sexual abuse casualty unit, Storgata 40
22932293 or 113 (if you are seriously injured)
Police 112
Pro Centre, Tollbugata 24, 23100200
Try to secure evidence
Write down the telephone number, address and/or the name on the door name plate.
Write down the car type/colour and registration number.
Try to remember/write down any distinguishing features about the abuser.
Take pictures of your injuries.
Save text messages, emails etc.
Try not to shower, wash, change or throw away clothes, brush your teeth, eat or drink. At the casualty unit they will try to secure biological evidence that can identify the abuser. This is very important if you decide to report it!
What happens at the sexual abuse casualty unit?
You will be offered an examination and treatment of any physical injuries.
They will take samples to secure any evidence.
You will be offered emergency contraception.
You will be offered acute treatment for various types of transferrable diseases.
You will be offered someone to talk to, and any psychological injuries will be followed up on.
Do you want to report it?
You can get help with going to the police to report it.
The casualty unit will keep the evidence for 6 months.
You are entitled to a free lawyer. You can get help to find a good one.
Can’t face going to casualty or the police right now?
You can buy emergency contraception without a prescription from any pharmacy. You must take it within 72 hours.
We advise you to see a doctor – at Pro Centre, for example – within 10 days for an examination and blood tests / testing for diseases.
It is good to talk to someone about what you have experienced. Your family/partner can also get help.
Rape is never your fault
It is quite normal for reactions such as anxiety and fear to only occur after a while. Everyone will react differently after a rape, and it can manifest itself in many different ways. Most people find professional help useful, and it is never too late to seek it.
Hand out about violence