In Iceland, everyone can receive help from the police and social services.

Are you a victim of violence? The police can help you!

Bjarkarhlíð offers help to all people who have suffered abuse. You will be well taken care of here.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, or been a victim of human trafficking, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð regardless of your gender, origin or social status. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

The building is wheelchair accessible. If you need, you can get sign language or language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is located near Bústaðarvegur in Reykjavík. Opening hours are on weekdays from 9–5. It is best to book a time through their website, calling their phone number: 5533000. You can also send an email to bjarkarhlid@bjarkarhlid.is.

Family Justice Center for Survivors of Violence

Íslenska, English. Language and sign language interpretation.

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

Please notify first if you need wheelchair access.

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri helps all people who have suffered abuse. 

If you or anyone you know has been abused, you can contact a counselor at Bjarmahlíð regardless of your gender, origin or social status. There you will have access to a police officer, a lawyer, a social worker, and other organizations that offer support. Everyone is welcome, and there is no cost associated with services or counseling.

If necessary, you can receive sign language interpretation or language interpretation. The building is not wheelchair accessible, so if you need such access, please mention this when you book an appointment, a counselor can then meet with you at the Social Services office of Akureyri located in Glerárgata. 

Bjarmahlíð is located at Aðalstræti 14 in Akureyri. The office is open weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is best to book a time on their website or call via telephone 5512520. You can also send them an email at bjarmahlid@bjarmahlid.is.

Bjarmahlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

Contact your service centre to get social support.

Municipal authorities are obliged to provide their residents with the necessary support to ensure that they can sustain themselves. A resident of the municipality is any person who is legally domiciled in the municipality, regardless of whether they are an Icelandic citizen or a foreign national. However, receiving financial support may affect your application for a residence permit or citizenship since you have to have a secure means of support (and financial support does not count).

Children and their families can receive a wide range of support from social and welfare services in their municipality. For example, due to social conditions, stress, illness, disability and violence. You can get social advice on finances, housing, parenting, divorce, custody and visitation issues, adoptions and more.

Most local authorities offer support to families who need more help, such as visiting services, help with housekeeping, connection with other service providers, for example school authorities and health institutions. These resources often go by various names but fall under the welfare services of each municipality.

In Reykjavík there are 4 service centres for different parts of the city. To get counselling or support, you can make an appointment for an interview with a counsellor at your centre by phone or email. See the centres. You can also call the Reykjavík City phone service at 4111111 to get more information. It is open there from 8:20 am to 4:15 pm.

Íslenska, English, polski. Language- and sign language interpretation.

Social services are provided by municipalities to their residents. Those services include financial assistance, support for disabled and senior citizens, support for people who suffer abuse and social counselling, to name a few.

That is a big question that only you can answer. It’s important for the perpetrator to take responsibility for their offence but ensuring that justice is served takes time and requires work.

112 operators will connect you to the police if you need assistance because of abuse or violence.

In Iceland, the police enjoy a high level of trust from residents, and people may safely approach the police if they believe that they have been the victim of an offence or violence. The Icelandic police works according to law and seeks to help everyone living in Iceland, irrelevant of whether they are Icelandic citizens or not. The Icelandic police does not have special connection to the police in your home country.

Abuse in close relationships is a matter of a priority for the police. It is possible to call, send a text message to 112 or contact them through the webchat. You can also go to the nearest police station.

If you have suffered any form of abuse you can also talk to a police officer at Bjarkarhlíð in Reykjavík or Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri. It can be more comfortable to go there. There is no pressure to press charges. Everything is done according to your wishes.

Immigrants have a right to get an interpreter when dealing with the police and in court.​ The institution in question should pay for the interpreter. ​You need to ask for an interpreter yourself with notice. Don’t be afraid to say you need the service. It’s your right.

The police helps everyone living in Iceland

Emergency, 112, calling, call, accident, violence, disaster, distress, iceland, icelandic helpline, police, fire, ambulance, human trafficking, axiety, call for help, assistance, sexual harrassment, emergency call, security, police officer, get help

The police in Iceland help people who have suffered abuse of any kind. Police see abuse in close relationships as a very serious matter. 

Police

The police helps everyone living in Iceland

Telephone

Website

Languages

More information

Available support

Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarmahlíð in Akureyri

Social support and services

Should I press charges or not?