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What is an assault centre?

inngang overgrepsmottak

Have you been a victim of rape or other sexual assault? You can find someone to speak with and receive medical assistance at an assault centre. You do not need a referral from a doctor or anyone else and you will receive help regardless of whether or not you wish to report the assault to the police. Our services are free of charge and the centres are open 24 hours a day.

All assistance available at the assault centre is completely optional and you choose which parts of the services to use. You can receive help even if the assault took place a while ago and you are free to bring someone with you when you attend the assault centre.

The services comprise:

  • counselling in safe surroundings
  • medical examination in order to detect, treat and prevent injuries and infection
  • pregnancy testing
  • forensic examination to secure evidence
  • help in contacting the police
  • You can receive help even if the assault took place a while ago.
  • help in contacting a solicitor (free of charge) regardless of whether the assault has been reported to the police
  • information about follow-up services, crisis shelters and other places to get help

Here is a film about attending an assault centre:

 

Staff working at the assault centres include a doctor, nurses and social workers. The staff have a duty of confidentiality, which means that they can only disclose your personal information to third parties with your consent, or if there is an immediate risk of someone being harmed. Assault centres can provide an interpreter when necessary.

Assault centres are associated with accident and emergency departments or hospitals and are a part of the public health service. Your general practitioner, health visitor or others can help you make contact.

Here you can find an overview of the assault centres available in Norway (select ‘overgrepsmottak’ under the heading ‘Type tilbud’)
A brochure with information about the assault centres

Accident and emergency department

If it is difficult for you to get to your closest assault centre (e.g. because of adverse weather conditions or long distances), you can contact an accident and emergency department. The accident and emergency department will assist you. Some accident and emergency departments can also perform forensic examinations to secure evidence. Call 116 117 for information about your closest accident and emergency department.

See the regional overview of assault centres