The Domestic Violence Research Programme

The programme studies time trends in the prevalence of violence and assault, violence as phenomenon, and how violence is approached by the welfare- and justice systems.

The Domestic Violence Research Programme at NOVA, OsloMet, is a social science research programme on domestic violence. It aims to generate theory-based knowledge with a long-term perspective that can serve as a basis for preventive and remedial work.

Research projects

We conduct research on the nature and scope of violence, and how it is dealt with by society. Through a range of large and small projects, our research focuses on:

• The scope of violence and abuse based on repeated questionnaires among the youth population
• Sexual abuse and violence, including digital abuse
• Intimate partner violence in a diverse population
• The legal system’s handling of domestic violence cases
• Support services and protection measures
• Policy design and governance systems
• Negative social control and honour-related violence

More about the programme

The researchers’ academic backgrounds are in criminology, law, psychology, social anthropology and sociology. We employ both qualitative and quantitative methods.

The theory underlying the programme is based on a broad understanding of the concept of domestic violence as a well as a holistic and intersectional perspective on violence. The programme also builds on an understanding of the causes of violence resulting from the interaction between individual, situational and structural factors.

Barnahus research

NOVA has been researching the Barnahus model since its introduction in Norway in 2007 and is a leading player in Barnahus research internationally. Read more about our barnahus research (uni.oslomet.no).

Funding

The Domestic Violence Research Programme is allocated NOK 54 million in core funding (2014–2025) from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, with an additional NOK 19 million from the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (previously from the Ministry of Education and Research). 

NOVA’s research on domestic violence also includes various research assignments for the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi), among others.

Conferences

We have organized and participated in several conferences the last 10 years, amongst other:

The Third European Conference on Domestic Violence

1-4 September 2019 NOVA and NKVTS organized The 3rd European Conference on Domestic Violence in Oslo.