When a person is forced to take part in sexual activity against her will it is called sexual exploitation. Often it is in exchange for money but sometimes for other things but the victim gets no payment. 

Many consider prostitution the same as sexual exploitation. In Iceland it is legal to sell prostitution but it is illegal for someone else to benefit from selling access to a person’s body. Hotel rooms, clubs, and private homes are examples of places where victims are forced to sell their bodies. Perpetrators have great mental control over their victims and often use that fear to get what they want. 

Access to your body is being sold without you wanting it.

You are threatened and forced to continue selling your body against your will.

You do not receive medical assistance for sexually transmitted diseases or other injuries caused by sexual activity with strangers.

Somebody does not allow you to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases if you decide to go into prostitution.

Women and their children, who are experiencing domestic violence, rape or human trafficking, have a safe place to go, the Women’s Shelter.

Prostitution is not punishable under Icelandic law for the person selling sex. However, the buying of sexual services and pimping are punishable. A person in prostitution does therefore not need to fear punishment.

There is always a way out of sexual exploitation. Contact 112 and get help.

Miriam was captivated and forced into prostitution in her home country. Next thing she knows, her hair has been cut and colored and ...

Miriam was captivated and forced into prostitution in her home country. Next thing she knows, her hair has been cut and colored and she is sent on a plane to Iceland with a forged ID. There she has to continue working as a prostitute.

Miriam does not have the courage to object to the people exploiting her because they threaten to hurt her family back home if she does not do what they say. Miriam has no money nor friends to go to and she trusts no one. She does not know where she will be sent next time or how to get out of this vicious circle. 

If you have suffered from sexual abuse you might want to sue the perpetrator and hold them accountable. This guide aims to explain to you how the justice system process is, from you report it to the police until the case goes before a judge, and what to expect.

A guide to the Icelandic justice system for victims of sexual offences

Notify in advance if you need wheelchair accessibility

The Women‘s shelter offers counseling and a safe place to stay for any woman who has experienced abuse in a close relationship.

The Women's Shelter is a house where women and their children can reside for a short period if they cannot live at home due to abuse or violence. If you have been subjected to abuse, you can come to the shelter for counseling; you do not have to reside in the shelter. It doesn't matter when the abuse occurred. There is no cost for speaking to a counselor.

The counselors speak English; you can also request to speak with a French or Spanish fluent counselor. For other languages, you can get an interpreter. You can also get a sign language interpreter if you need. 

The Women's Shelter is located in Reykjavik and Akureyri, and serves the need of women all over the country. 

You can call the Women’s Shelter 24 hours a day at their phone number 561 1205 for immediate support or you can make an appointment with a counselor through their website. You can also send them an email to kvennaathvarf@kvennaathvarf.is. All women are welcome: Icelandic, foreign, disabled, queer, trans or of any age (over 18).

Icelandic, English. Language and Sign Language interpretation

The Women‘s Shelter offers counseling and a safe place to stay for any woman who has experienced abuse in a close relationship. 

Walk-in service for victims of sexual abuse is open 24 hours a day.

Walk-in service for victims of sexual abuse is located in the Emergency Care (Bráðamóttaka) at the National Hospital in Fossvogur. It is open 24/7, and there is no cost for going there. You will get help, regardless of where you are from or where you live. It is a good idea to bring someone you trust with you.

There are nurses, psychologists, and doctors who work in the emergency room who provide you help with both physical and emotional wounds.  There, you can also get assistance from a lawyer or legal rights protector. Physical evidence is collected for use if you choose to press charges. Even though it's hard, to increase the chances of finding criminal evidence, it's best to go to the emergency room as soon as possible, without washing yourself or your clothes.

The phone number at the emergency care is 543 2000, and it is open 24/7. You can also contact them directly at 543 2094 during daytime work hours. It is also possible to send an email to neydarmottaka@landspitali.is or contact the emergency room through the online chat on the hospital's website.

Healthcare professionals assess the need for interpreting services if an individual does not speak Icelandic or English or if they use sign language. You can request an interpreter when booking an appointment with your local healthcare centre or when visiting the hospital. Interpreting services can be provided by telephone or on-site. Read more about rights to interpretation.

Support and counselling for sexual abuse 

Language and sign language interpretation.

The Emergency care for sexual assault assists anyone who has been raped, experienced attempted rape or any other sexual abuse.

543 2000 (24/7) or directly 543 2094 (daytime work hours)

Emergency care for sexual assault victims

W.O.M.E.N helps women of foreign origin living in Iceland who have experienced abuse. 

At W.O.M.E.N in Iceland women of foreign origin can get counseling and advice regarding their rights and resources available to them in Iceland. W.O.M.E.N especially assist women who have suffered abuse in any form. Counseling is free of charge. Every other Tuesday from 8 PM to 10 PM they offer peer support where women can come by and talk with another woman of foreign origin who will provide information and support.

Counselors at W.O.M.E.N speak English, Icelandic, Spanish, Russian, Polish and many more languages. Feel free to send them an email in advance to ensure someone who speaks your language is available. There is an elevator in the building so wheelchair access is available but please contact them before to ensure they can secure a meeting room. W.O.M.E.N do not pay for sign interpretation for the hearing impaired. 

W.O.M.E.N is located at Túngata 14 in Reykjavík. It is best to book a time in advance with an email to info@womeniniceland.is. It is also possible to contact them through their website or with private messaging on their Facebook page.

Íslenska, English, Polska, русский, and many more languages. Language interpretation. No sign language interpretation.

W.O.M.E.N (Women Of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland) is a social organization for women of foreign origin living in Iceland.

Nobody has the right to force another person to do something sexual against their will. Having sex with another person without consent is rape.

When someone forces you to commit a crime to benefit from it themselves, it is human trafficking.

Sexual exploitation is when a person benefits from selling access to another person's body for sexual purposes. 

kynlífsmansal, kynlíf, mansal, vændi, sexual trafficking, human trafficking, hagnýting, hagnýta

Sexual exploitation

What is sexual exploitation?

Do you recognize abuse?

Miriam

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A guide to the Icelandic justice system for victims of sexual offences

Available support

Women's Shelter

Emergency care for sexual assault victims

WOMEN

Rape

Forced crime