# Brå Report Reveals High Rates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Youth Young adults aged 20-24 report the highest levels of domestic abuse in Sweden. - **Source:** [SVT – Inrikes](https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/67550c55-d686-40eb-b577-7e0c7a659194 ## Youth Vulnerability Trends A new report from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, Brå, highlights that young adults experience intimate partner violence more frequently than older demographics. Data indicates that the 20-24 age group faces the highest risk. Investigator Anna Frenzel notes that this heightened vulnerability is a consistent finding across various recent studies. ## Statistical Prevalence Findings In the 2025 study, 16.4 percent of respondents aged 20-24 reported experiencing some form of partner violence. Across all age groups surveyed, the average prevalence rate was 9.4 percent. This comprehensive mapping involved approximately 45,000 participants, providing a significant dataset to analyze the scope of domestic abuse within the Swedish population. ## Psychological Abuse Dominance The most common form of abuse reported by both young and older individuals is psychological violence. This includes verbal insults, humiliation, and controlling behaviors by a partner. While this pattern affects both men and women, the report confirms that women remain the most vulnerable group across all age categories studied by Brå. ## Lack of Relational Experience Anna Frenzel suggests that the disparity between age groups may stem from a lack of experience in navigating romantic relationships. Younger individuals may struggle with setting personal boundaries or identifying early warning signs of abuse. Because this is only the second time Brå has conducted this specific survey, long-term trends remain currently unclear. ## Critically Low Reporting Rates A concerning finding is that only 3 percent of those who experienced partner violence chose to report the crime to the police. This low reporting rate is consistent across all demographic groups surveyed. The lack of formal police involvement complicates efforts to provide support and legal protection to those suffering from abuse. ## Material Damage and Gender The study also examined material violence, defined as a partner destroying or breaking the victim's personal belongings. In almost every category of violence analyzed, women reported higher levels of victimization than men. These findings underscore the persistent gendered nature of domestic violence, even when accounting for different types of abusive behaviors. ## Methodological Context and Scope This report is part of a broader, ongoing effort by Brå to map crime victimization across the Swedish population. By surveying 45,000 people, the agency aims to build a reliable evidence base. However, researchers caution that drawing definitive conclusions about societal shifts requires more longitudinal data collected over several future survey cycles. ## Future Policy Implications The high prevalence of psychological abuse among the youth suggests a need for targeted preventive measures and education regarding healthy relationship dynamics. With reporting rates remaining extremely low, authorities face a significant challenge in reaching victims. Future policy must address these barriers to ensure that young people feel safe seeking necessary assistance. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/bra-rapport-vald-i-nara-relation-vanligast-bland-unga — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._