There are no offenses directly linked to domestic violence, such as offenses containing criteria linked to the crime having been committed at home. However, the provisions listed below, from the Swedish Penal Code, should be relevant in this context.

The Swedish Penal Code (1962:700) (Brottsbalken)

Chapter 3 on offenses against life and health

Chapter 4 on offenses against liberty and peace

Chapter 4, Section 4 a paragraph 2 on gross violations of women's integrity (grov kvinnofridskränkning)

Chapter 4, Section 4 c on coercion to marry (äktenskapstvång)

Chapter 4, Section 4 d on deception for the purpose of forced marriage abroad (vilseledande till tvångsäktenskapsresa)

Chapter 6 on sexual offenses

The Restraining Orders Act (1988:688) (Lag om kontaktförbud)

Although gender-neutral, this act is particularly intended to be applied where a woman is exposed to violence or threats within a relationship or where a man is harassing and stalking a woman in connection with the breakdown of an intimate relationship. Restraining orders are granted by prosecutors and applications should be handled within one week.

Restraining orders forbid the prohibited person (the perpetrator) from actively trying to contact the protected person (the victim) during a specified period of time set by the prosecutor, typically 3-12months.

The Constitution of Sweden (specifically the Instrument of Government) (1974:152) (Regeringsformen)

Chapter 2 regulates fundamental rights and freedoms.

 Chapter 2, Section 19 explicitly states that no law or regulation may contravene the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Discrimination Act (2008:567) (Diskrimineringslagen)

The Discrimination Act contains prohibitions against employers discriminating against women.

Sweden follows civil law primarily based on codified law (acts). Consequently, there is no controlling case law for domestic violence cases in Sweden. However, there is case law interpreting the acts that, in practice, can be relevant for domestic violence cases. For example, where crimes have been committed at home, this can be an aggravating circumstance when deciding on a punishment for the crime at hand.

There are no specific courts that handle domestic violence. The general courts (district court, court of appeal and Supreme Court) handle various kinds of criminal offenses. However, within a court, there may be departments that are specialized in certain types of crimes.

N/A. There are no crimes that are labelled "domestic violence." The prosecutor handling the case initiates a prosecution if he or she considers there to be sufficient evidence to prove that a crime has been committed and that a certain person has committed it.