Preventing violence in young people’s intimate relationships

Relationskompassen (translated into Relationship Compass) aims to prevent violence in young people’s intimate relationships. The programme is universal – we work with all children – and it has a gender-transformative approach that highlights and challenges harmful gender norms.

A unique feature is its early intervention: Relationskompassen addresses violence in young people’s relationships often even before their first romantic relationships have begun.

The programme is aimed at grade 5 and 6 (ages 10-12) as well as their parents and guardians. The goal is to foster healthy and respectful intimate relationships.

A programme that reaches children in multiple settings

Relationskompassen is based on research showing that consistent messages across multiple environments at the same time strengthen resilience against intimate partner violence. The programme also takes a whole-municipality approach: several coordinated initiatives work simultaneously toward the same goal – preventing violence in young people’s intimate relationships.

The programme consists of three components:

• School programme
• Leisure-time programme
• Parental support programme

This means that Relationskompassen combines school, leisure-time activities, and parental support, and works across all levels of the socio-ecological model – from the individual to the societal level.

Equipping children and parents with tools for respectful relationships

By discussing and reflecting on themes such as violence, norms, emotions, and relationships through the educational materials, children are given the opportunity to build a strong foundation for healthy intimate relationships based on respect, consent, and gender equality.

At the same time, discussion sessions are offered to parents and guardians. The aim is for children to encounter consistent behaviours and attitudes from both peers and adults at school, in leisure activities, and at home.

The programme is manual-based and structured around a series of thematic sessions. Professionals receive knowledge support in the form of training and guidance materials to ensure high-quality implementation.

Developing the programme in pilot municipalities

During 2026, we will refine and finalise the materials included in the Relationship Compass. The programme will then be tested in selected municipalities to allow for learning, adjustments, and preparation for a broad launch after 2030. Researchers will evaluate parts of the pilot activities.