A relationship should leave room to be yourself. Sweden’s new Brå report is a reminder that conversations about abuse must also address control, humiliation and access to support.
When we talk about intimate partner abuse, we also need to talk about harm that leaves no visible injuries. Psychological abuse was the most common form of self-reported victimisation in the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention’s new survey. Insults and humiliation were the most common forms of psychological abuse, followed by controlling behaviour. Published on 12 November 2026, the report concerns experiences in 2025. [1]
WHEN CARE BECOMES CONTROL
Choosing to tell someone where you are or share your location can be a personal decision. Feeling obliged to account for your movements is different. Any conversation about safety needs to include autonomy: who decides what is shared, and is there freedom to say no?
Brå’s survey includes controlling behaviour, digital abuse, threats and harassment within psychological abuse. Its definition is broader than a criminal offence category, so not every experience captured by the questionnaire automatically constitutes a crime. [2]
That distinction matters when interpreting the figures. But being listened to should not depend on already knowing the legal name for what you are experiencing.
POLICE REPORTS DO NOT SHOW THE WHOLE PICTURE
Among people who said they experienced some form of intimate partner abuse in 2025, 3.0% said at least one incident that year was reported to police. This is a proportion of people affected, not of all incidents. [1]
The absence of a police report must never become a reason to dismiss someone who speaks up. A conversation should be able to begin with that person’s experience, without requiring a complete explanation or a decision about what happens next.
SUPPORT SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER BURDEN TO CARRY ALONE
For Spher, community goes hand in hand with being treated with respect. We believe women should have space to build relationships on their own terms and talk about their lives without having to defend their boundaries.
Community does not replace professional support. Healthcare, social services and specialist support organisations have important roles. Responsibility for abuse always lies with the person committing it.
Someone who shares their experience should not have to prove it is “serious enough” to deserve a respectful response.
SUPPORT IN SWEDEN
In Sweden, Kvinnofridslinjen offers support on 116 016, around the clock. Calls are free and you can remain anonymous. Relatives and friends can also call for advice and support. In an emergency in Sweden, call 112. [3]
ABOUT THE EVIDENCE
The report uses a special section of the 2026 Swedish Crime Survey for Sweden’s population aged 16–84. The main survey received 64,475 responses, with a design-weighted response rate of 35.0%. These are self-reported estimates and non-response must be considered. Brå cautions that two comparable measurements cannot yet establish a trend. [2]
This article was prepared with AI assistance and checked against the primary sources below. The AI-generated editorial image does not depict real individuals or an actual incident.