Record in Norwegian Crisis Centers. This Many Times Help Was Requested
In 2025, Norwegian crisis centers were used 22,757 times for daily support services. This is the highest number ever recorded. At the same time, many centers report a lack of available places and issues with their buildings.
In 2025, a record number of people sought help from crisis centers.
Fot. materiały prasowe Bufdir (zdjęcie poglądowe)
In 2025, 6,646 people used daily assistance at crisis centers. The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) reports that this includes both on-site visits and individual conversations by phone or video. The scale of support has increased. According to Tove Bruusgaard from Bufdir, daily services are becoming an increasingly important form of support for people exposed to violence.
More Visits to Crisis Centers. Norway's Residents Ask for a Conversation
In 2025, 13,553 daily visits were recorded. These included in-person meetings at the center, accompaniment in contacts with other services, and assistance at home. This is a large part of the overall daily support. Bufdir points out that this form of help allows people experiencing violence to talk and receive advice without having to live at the facility.
There were also 9,204 individual conversations registered. These were structured talks and counseling by phone or video. Every third conversation took place by phone due to the long distance to the nearest crisis center. This shows the importance of remote contact in areas where reaching a center is difficult.
In 2025, 2,278 adults lived in crisis centers. A total of 2,678 stays were recorded. This was the second highest number in the records, after the record year of 2024. The centers also housed 226 men, who had 252 stays, slightly more than the previous year.
There were also 1,531 children living in the centers. They had a total of 1,850 stays. For many of them, staying at the center meant a break from kindergarten or school. Such decisions were usually made for safety reasons.
There were also 9,204 individual conversations registered. These were structured talks and counseling by phone or video. Every third conversation took place by phone due to the long distance to the nearest crisis center. This shows the importance of remote contact in areas where reaching a center is difficult.
In 2025, 2,278 adults lived in crisis centers. A total of 2,678 stays were recorded. This was the second highest number in the records, after the record year of 2024. The centers also housed 226 men, who had 252 stays, slightly more than the previous year.
There were also 1,531 children living in the centers. They had a total of 1,850 stays. For many of them, staying at the center meant a break from kindergarten or school. Such decisions were usually made for safety reasons.
Both adults and children lived in the centers.Photo: Pixabay (illustrative photo)
Full Facilities in Norway. Broad Action Needed
The increase in people seeking help coincided with accommodation problems. In 2025, 30 out of 42 housing offers for women were full at least once during the year. For men's offers, this applied to 21 out of 39 centers. The centers indicate that pressure on available places makes it difficult to admit people in need of shelter on an ongoing basis.
Some centers also report that their buildings are not adapted to users' needs. In 2025, this problem affected 22 out of 42 centers with offers for women and 26 out of 40 centers with offers for men. This is a clear increase compared to the previous year. The centers point to old buildings, too few rooms, and a lack of possibilities for proper separation of users.
Changes to the Crisis Center Act in 2025 clarified the obligations of municipalities. They are required to provide equivalent services to all users. This also applies to people with additional challenges, including those related to addiction or mental health. According to Bufdir, some current facilities make it difficult to fulfill this task.
Bruusgaard points out that centers with offers for men also report particular problems. They indicate worse conditions than in the women's sections or too great a distance from the main facility. Minister for Children and Families Lene Vågslid announced that the 2026 grant pool includes NOK 20.7 million for the modernization of inadequate buildings. According to her, several municipalities will soon receive support.
Some centers also report that their buildings are not adapted to users' needs. In 2025, this problem affected 22 out of 42 centers with offers for women and 26 out of 40 centers with offers for men. This is a clear increase compared to the previous year. The centers point to old buildings, too few rooms, and a lack of possibilities for proper separation of users.
Changes to the Crisis Center Act in 2025 clarified the obligations of municipalities. They are required to provide equivalent services to all users. This also applies to people with additional challenges, including those related to addiction or mental health. According to Bufdir, some current facilities make it difficult to fulfill this task.
Bruusgaard points out that centers with offers for men also report particular problems. They indicate worse conditions than in the women's sections or too great a distance from the main facility. Minister for Children and Families Lene Vågslid announced that the 2026 grant pool includes NOK 20.7 million for the modernization of inadequate buildings. According to her, several municipalities will soon receive support.
Funds from the grant program are to be used to improve buildings that do not meet current needs. Bufdir reminds that all municipalities should be aware of this funding opportunity. Further decisions on grants will show which centers will be the first to start modernization.
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