Relationsbrott

Relationsbrott is a term used in Swedish criminology to describe offenses that occur within close personal relationships, such as intimate partners, spouses, ex-partners, or close family members. The category commonly includes acts of violence, abuse (psychological and physical), coercion, stalking, and, in some cases, sexual offences. It is a descriptive label rather than a formal statutory category.

It is not a standalone crime in the Swedish Penal Code. Rather, relationsbrott is used by police, prosecutors, and researchers to classify offenses that take place in domestic or family contexts. The underlying acts are prosecuted under the general provisions of the Brottsbalken (the Penal Code), including misshandel (assault), ofredande (unlawful harassment), olaga hot (threats), and, where applicable, sexual offences. In many cases, special measures related to domestic violence and protection of victims complement the criminal process.

Common forms of relationsbrott include physical violence, psychological abuse, coercive control, threats, harassment, sexual coercion, and economic abuse or neglect within caregiving relationships. The term covers both current and former partners as well as other close relatives.

Handling of relationsbrott involves reporting, investigation, and prosecution, with protective measures available to victims, such as restraining orders or kontaktförbud (contact prohibition) to limit contact by the offender. Policy discussions around relationsbrott focus on terminology, consistency in statistics, and improvements in prevention, victim support, and accountability for perpetrators. See also domestic violence, family violence, violence in close relationships, and coercive control.