The abuse reported to the police

Reporting to the police

The police are often called to the scene because of domestic abuse. In some cases, someone in the home has called, or someone else has told the police. When the police see that domestic abuse is taking place, they call in a special investigator.

During this process, it is important that you have an adult that you trust with you, other than the perpetrator (the abusive person). That trusted person talks with your legal rights protector and others in the justice system - the perpetrator is never spoken to about your case.

That trusted person could for example be:

• your other parent
• a legal guardian (such as a foster parent or someone else who has custody of you)
• a child protection worker

Support on site

• When a child lives in or is connected to the home, the police notify child protection services. A child protection worker then comes to support you and help the family.
• If you or anyone at home don't speak Icelandic or English, you will get an interpreter to assist. Family members are not allowed to interpret for each other.
• If anyone needs to go to hospital, the police can drive them there.

Keeping you safe

Often, the abusive person is removed from the home for a few hours or even a whole day. Child protection services can also ask the police to make the person stay away from your home for several weeks, or even stop them from coming near you and others in your home. This helps protect you from being bothered, threatened, or hurt. There are a few different ways the police can keep the person away from your home.

Written agreement

First, the police will usually make a written agreement with the person to stay away from the home. They do this when the person:

• hasn't caused harm before and is expected to follow the rules
• hasn't been given a restraining order or removed from the home before

Removal from home

The person is asked to leave the home and isn't allowed to come back for a certain amount of time. This can last for up to 4 weeks.

Restraining order

The person is banned from going to certain areas, contact you, or follow you. This can last for up to 1 year, but it's usually for a shorter time.

How is the investigation done?

The police gather various kinds of information about what happened. This is needed so that the case can go to court and be proven.

This includes, among other things:

• The police interview your parents, which is called giving a statement.
• Other people (witnesses) are talked to, to find out what happened.
• Photos are taken of the scene and of people’s injuries.
• Police body camera footage is used at the scene.

You will be talked to about what happened; this is called giving a statement

• 15 to 18 years old have to go to the police station to give a statement. It is best to have your legal rights protector and a trusted adult with you.
• Children under 15 give their statements at Barnahús (the Children’s House). There, a specialist experienced in working with children will speak to you.

Good to know

• You don’t need to be ashamed to tell the police or child protection services about what happened.
• What happened to you has also happened to other children and young people.
• They won’t be surprised when they hear what happened to you.
• They want to make sure no one is harming you or making you feel bad.

Legal rights protectors

A legal rights protector is a lawyer who helps those who have suffered abuse through the justice system. They look out for your rights and work with Child protection services. You don't have to pay them; the government provides this for free.

You can choose any lawyer to be your legal rights protector. The police have a list of people who are used to work as legal rights protectors in these kinds of cases.

Access to information

While the case is being looked into, your parents (or guardians) who are not the abusive person can get information about the case and look at the documents. Your legal rights protector will ask for these documents for you. The abusive person can do the same, but their lawyer will ask for the documents for them. However, no one can see documents if it might hurt the investigation.

• You're not allowed to see documents that have sensitive information about other people, unless in special cases.
• The police and people who work in the justice system can see the documents to use in their work while the case is being investigated.
• If the investigation of the case is stopped, you have the right to all its documents.

Status notifications

Your parents (or guardians) and your legal rights protector get updates from the police prosecution department on Ísland.is.

These updates will tell if:

• The case has been sent to the prosecutor.
• It has gone back for more investigation.
• The investigation has been stopped.

How long does this take?

It can take 2–4 months for the police to finish their investigation and decide whether the case will be sent to the prosecutor.

Some cases take longer than others. This doesn't mean the police aren't doing their job, it just depends on how complicated the case is.