Assistance for perpetrators

It is important that perpetrators of violence seek help to cope with their lives.

Heimilisfriður

Heimilisfriður, treatment and knowledge center on intimate partner violence, offers treatment to perpetrators of violence in close relationships.

Everyone seeking assistance from Heimilisfriður begins with one-on-one interviews. As a starting point, up to four analytical interviews are offered to assess the problem and suggest recommendations for future action.

It is important that the person concerned accepts the assistance voluntarily and arranges an interview themselves. Exceptions to this principle are, for example, when child protection providers, social services or the police refer matters to Heimilisfriður.

Marriage counseling is not offered, but partners are always offered two interviews at the start and end of treatment to assess the safety of the partner and children. Spouses receive a written briefing on the treatment and the emphasis placed on it.

In addition, partners who need it are offered counseling. This increased support for a partner is innovative and not directly related to the treatment of the perpetrator. By offering, on the one hand, individual treatment for the perpetrator of the violence and, on the other hand, supportive and therapeutic interviews with victims, it is underlined that the responsibility for the violence lies entirely with the perpetrator.

Heimilisfriður is also intended to share education and training regarding violence in close relationships and its consequences to professionals and the general public.