I have experienced sexual abuse

I am 15-17 years old. What should I do?

Tell someone

Talk to someone about what happened, someone who you trust and find easy to talk to, for example someone in your family.

You can also talk to:

Your school nurse
Your school counsellor
Your teacher
Your coach
The staff at your after school centre (félagsmiðstöð)

And there are lots of other people who want to help you and whose help does not cost anything:

Sjúkt spjall is an anonymous webchat where young people (under 20 years old) can discuss their concerns about relationships, communication, or abuse.
The 1717 helpline and webchat are open 24 hours a day. There you can get free, confidential support on any issue.
112 phone line and webchat. There you get a counsellor from child protection services (ice. barnavernd) or from social services to support you and your family. You have to give your name but you can ask for them to keep it secret.
Bergið headspace is a free support and counselling centre that helps young people. There you can book a free appointment with a counsellor who goes over the problem, and provides advice and support.
The LGBTQ+ youth centre (Hinsegin félagsmiðstöð) is for all young people 13-17 years old who want to chat in a place where all are welcome.
Most public health clinics have a special reception for young people between the ages of 13-20 where they can discuss their health and well-being.

If I report the offence, what happens next?

The guide below explains the process you go through.

Ég er yngri en 15 ára

Ég er eldri en 18 ára

Start here

Manneskja heldur á regnhlíf yfir höfði annarar manneskju sem er greinilega leið. Regnhlífin stoppar rigninguna sem kemur úr skýi fyrir ofan höfuð leiðu manneskjunnar.

The emergency room for victims of sexual abuse

The emergency rooms are in Reykjavík and Akureyri and are open 24 hours a day. You can also go to a health clinic near you.

Pressing criminal charges with the police is the only way to make the perpetrator take responsibility for what they did.

Manneskja stendur við opinn glugga og horfir út. Við horfum á hana utan frá þar sem gluggahlerarnir hafa verið opnaðir út.

The cases are processed in the same way. Still, there are a number of differences between you and people who have turned 18.

Your parents or guardians press charges on your behalf.

Manneska situr við skrifborð með tölvuskjá fyrir framan sig og slær inn á lyklaborð. Fyrir framan skrifborðið situr önnur manneskja á stól. Sú manneskja er með áhyggjusvip og heldur vinstri hendi að hjartastað.

You tell police about the offence in an interview room at the police station.

Hendur halda á tveimur stórum pússluspilum og eru að setja þau saman.

The police collect data. Then a decision is made on whether the case goes to the district prosecutor’s office or not.

Manneskja með áhyggjusvip horfir út í buskann. Tvö stór spurningamerki svífa í kringum hana.

The case is sent to the district prosecutor’s office. That’s where a decision is made on whether to prosecute the perpetrator in the case or not (also called issuing an indictment).