DIalogue for changing attitudes

Violence in close relations

For many refugees and immigrants, the encounter with Norwegian society can be a stressful experience. There are some expectations and demands that they do not understand the reason for.

MiR has experienced that it can be useful to create a dialogue around difficult topics instead of just informing the target group about what is expected of them, as there are many topics that appear to create misunderstanding and seem totally uncomprehensible. By creating dialogue, attitudes can be changed in a better way than imposing new attitudes on adults that they do not understand. Our dialoguefacilitators speak Norwegian, but also several different languages, can facilitate dialogue for those who do not speak Norwegian very well. The best way to change attitudes is to talk to each other and perhaps learn from the experiences of others who have lived for a longer period in Norway. We have extensive experience in holding dialogue meetings at adult education centres around the country, both in the introduction programme and in collaboration with Norwegian People’s Aid’s “Women Can”. Topics we have dialogue leaders in are: negative social control and forced marriage, domestic violence, and gender equality.

It is not always easy to identify psychological and physical violence and get help. It is essential to know where you can find support if you are in a harmful relationship. If you become a dialogue facilitator you can help others in this situation.

What is violence in close relationship?

The Norwegian police and the Penal Code define domestic violence as “violence or threats of violence against persons who are or have been married or who live or have lived in marriage-like relationships. This also applies to siblings, children, parents, grandparents and others in the right ascending or descending line, as well as adoptive, foster- and step-related relationships.” (https://snl.no/vold)

MiR kompetanse's experience

Long experience with projects

MiR Kompetanse bases our experience on MiRs experience with dialogue seminars. This project is supported by BUFDIR (Barne, ungdom og familiedirektoratet)

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