Krenkelser

Krenkelser is a term used in Norwegian and related Scandinavian languages to describe acts or expressions that infringe on a person’s dignity or self-respect. In everyday language it corresponds to insults, humiliations, or offensive treatment. In some legal contexts the term appears as a category describing offenses against a person’s honor, distinct from crimes based on factual falsity or harm to reputation.

The word stems from the verb krenke, meaning to injure or demean. Krenkelser can take many forms, including name-calling, belittling remarks, public shaming, or ongoing harassment. It focuses on the effect of the act on the person’s dignity rather than on whether a statement is true or false; that latter distinction is typically placed under defamation rather than krenkelse.

Culturally, thresholds for what constitutes krenkelser vary between communities and over time. In public discourse, regulations about harassment, hate speech, or dignity protection play a role in addressing krenkelser, while in private life grievances may be resolved informally. The consequences can include reputational harm, damaged relationships, or legal responses in jurisdictions that recognize offenses against dignity; in many cases, social sanctions and reporting mechanisms are used to curb harmful behavior.