Know Before You Go NORWAY A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International Updated May 2019 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: NORWAY 2 Let’s be perfectly clear, the number one way to prevent sexual assault is to not rape. While the responsibility of ending sexual gender based violence is on the perpetrators, this guide will offer general safety tips, country-specific information, and resources to help prevent and prepare travelers for the possibility of sexual assault abroad. GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends. 7 out of 10 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in rapes are the eyes when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in committed another country that could signify you’re interested in the person. by someone known to the 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape 1 survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors victim such as degrading jokes/language or refusal to accept “no” as an answer, whether in a sexual context or otherwise.2 4. Avoid secluded places where you could be more vulnerable. Meet new people in public spaces and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be beforehand. Always have a backup plan in mind. 5. Trust your gut. Many victims have a “bad feeling” right before an assault takes place. It’s okay to leave a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable. Stay alert and aware in new social settings and places. ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS: • Always watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. • “Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs,” also referred to as club drugs or roofies may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects such as distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, identity, and overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3 • The legal drinking age in Norway is 18 years old for beer and wine. A person must be at least 20 to consume spirits or hard liquor. Most bars in Norway have a minimum age requirement of 20 or 21.4 CULTURAL INFORMATION: Major Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 71.5%, Roman Catholic 2.8%, other Christian 3.9%, Muslim 2.8%, other 2%, unspecified 7.5% 5 Legal System: Norway has been a monarchy since 1814. The country has a mixed legal system of civil, common and customary law and three branches of government (legislative, the Storting (parliament), and a judicial branch.)6 There are three court systems: the County Courts (district and city), the High Courts, and the Supreme Courts.7 Social/Cultural Norms: Norwegians follow Jante’s Law, an important cultural norm which teaches modesty and humil- ity. Honesty and sincerity are expected from everyone. Norwegians frown upon showing off, criticizing others, and acting superior. Relationships are built off of authenticity rather than professional accomplishments.8 Gender Equality: Since the early 20th century, Norway has aggressively fought for gender equality. In 2003, parliament passed a law that requires at least 40% of all business board members to be female. 9 In the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, Norway ranked 2nd out of 149 countries in terms of gender equality, compared to the United States which ranked 51st.10 Socially, women are generally regarded as equal.11 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: NORWAY 3 SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THE LAW: Norwegian Context Under the Norway penal code, rape is defined as forcing a person to engage in sexual activity “by means of violent threats” or “with any person who is unconscious or incapable for any other reasons of resisting the act.”12 Rape and sexual assault offenders found guilty face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. If a rape occurs by multiply offenders, is especially painful/offensive, the offender has previously been convicted of a sexual crime, or the victim sustains considerable bodily injury (including STDs) then the prison sentence can be up to 21 years. If the offender of any sexual assault is deemed to have acted under gross negligence (allows for conviction without proving intent) then the prison terms range to not exceed 5 to 7 years.12 If You Experience Sexual Assault… LGBTQ CONCERNS Don’t blame yourself! Sexual assault is never the fault of the LGBTQ people have the same rights as victim. You may be unsure of how to proceed, and that’s okay. First, cis-gendered heterosexuals regarding consider taking the following actions: marriage, housing, adoption, serving openly in the military, age of consent, and employment 1. If you are in a safe place, call someone you trust to be with you. If discrimination. Attitudes are generally progressive you are not safe, call someone you trust to come and get you. and accepting.15 Norway is one of only four 2. Do self-collection of evidence. Put all of the clothes you were wear- countries in the world that allows transgender ing, bed sheets, and so on in a paper bag. If you have any injuries, people to legally change their gender without take pictures. If there is semen present, collect what you can and medical involvement.16 It is illegal in Norway put it in the paper bag. to discriminate against people based on their 3. Call a Pathways to Safety International Advocate internationally toll sexual identity, which includes gender identity.17 free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you through the ordeal, honoring your decisions. (See Resources for contact info.) EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC), POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP), MEDICAL CARE AND REPORTING AND ABORTION INFORMATION SEXUAL ASSAULT IN NORWAY Q: Are emergency contraception and Victims of sexual violence can go to the police, give their report, post-exposure prophylaxis available? and choose whether or not they want to press charges. If a rape A: EC can be purchased over-the-counter under survivor chooses not to press charges, the police will likely con- the names NorLevo and Postinor, which are 18 tinue to investigate the perpetrator without the survivor’s tes- both free to rape survivors. Norway is the timony. After the interview, the police will escort the survivor to first country to offer PrEP for free to popu- an abuse center for a medical examination. Victims may ask for lations at risk for contracting HIV. While that compensation, request a security alarm, and/or a restraining or- includes the LGBTQ+ community, it is unclear der if still in danger. Rape victims are also entitled to a free legal (but likely) that rape survivors fall into the 19 aid lawyer. With all that being said, the authorities are critiqued at-risk category. for only having a conviction rate of 10%.13 Survivors can also seek care at a Krisesenter. Krisesenters (women’s shelters) offer Q: Is abortion legal in Norway? free and confidential medical/psychological care independent A: It is legal to have an abortion preformed by from the police. There are 23 krisesenter locations throughout a physician at an approved institution up Norway (See Resources), making this a good option for those to 12 weeks of gestation. After 12 weeks, an wanting help without involvement from the authorities.14 abortion must be authorized by two phy- sicians and performed in a hospital. The operation is free of charge.20 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: NORWAY 4 RESOURCES PATHWAYS TO SAFETY INTERNATIONAL US EMBASSIES/CONSULATES U.S. Embassy in Oslo Crisis Line: To call our confidential, toll-free International Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo, Norway. Crisis Line, first dial the country specific AT&T access Tel: (47) 2130-8540 code for Norway: (800-190-11), (Norway US Military Bases: 800-199-11). Then, at the prompt, enter our phone EMERGENCY NUMBERS number: 833-SAFE-833 (833-723-3833) Nationwide Police Number: 112 or 02800 Crisis Email: Connect with a Pathways Advocate via email at [email protected]. All crisis emails will be responded to within 24 hours. *For immediate help, MEDICAL CENTERS please call our crisis line. Bergen Kommune Solheimsgaten 9, 5058 Bergen Live Chat: Pathways online chat service is available 24/7 Tel: 55-56-87-60/116-117 on our website at pathwaystosafety.org. Center for victims of sexual assault. Offers free health care, counseling, and assistance finding a safe place to stay. Abuses Reception, Oslo Emergency ANTI-VIOLENCE ORGS Free medical screenings and counseling for survivors of DIXI Center Against Rape rape or other sexual offenses. Arbinsgt. 1, 0253 Oslo Tel: 23:48-70-90 Tel: (47) 22-44-40-50 Abuses Reception, Stavanger Emergency Free and confidential place to obtain support after a Free medical screenings and counseling for survivors of sexual assault. rape or other sexual offenses. Armauer Hansensv 30, 4011 Stavanger KRISESENTER CENTERS Tel: 902-40-200 Free and confidential assistance for victims of sexual, domestic, or other violence. Translators available. LEGAL SUPPORT Oslo Krisesenter JURK – Legal advice for women Tel: (47)22-48-03-80 JURK offers free legal aid and advice for anyone identify- ing as a woman, however they cannot take cases to court Bergen Krisesenter since they run by law students. Tel: 55-31-50-50 Skippergata 23, 0154 Oslo Email: [email protected] Tel: (47) 22-84-29-50 Trondheim Krisenter National Association for Victims of Violence Tel: 73-52-34-20 Offers free and confidential legal counseling to crime victims throughout Norway. **All Krisesenter locations: http://www.krisesenter. Tel: 22:16 40 00 com/finn-ditt-senter/ The information in this guide has been gathered from public sources, is for informational purposes only, and is not vetted, endorsed or guaranteed by Pathways to Safety International.