Mapping exposure to violence and abuse among young people: the Norwegian YouthViolence surveys

Aims: The YouthViolence surveys were conducted to retrospectively map young Norwegians’ (age 16–19 years) exposure to violence and abuse, both within their families and in their peer relations. The aim was to provide high-quality data for victimisation research and policy development and for monitoring and evaluating prevention work. This study design article outlines the relevance of the YouthViolence study and its characteristics. Methods: Data were obtained from three repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2007 ( N = 7,103), 2015 ( N = 4,530) and 2023 ( N = 16,081) with national samples of Norwegian senior high school students. The first two surveys included students in their final year of senior high school, while the 2023 survey sampled students from all three senior high school levels. A subsample of the 2007 participants ( n = 3,319) was followed longitudinally until 2021 (age 32–33 years) based on linked survey-administrative data. Results: The YouthViolence survey findings provide important knowledge on topics such as direct and indirect parental violence, physical and digital sexual violence, and polyvictimisation, as well as on procedures for mapping violence and abuse among youth and have led to the publication of over 25 scientific papers. The study also provides extensive knowledge inputs for governmental whitepapers and strategies on the prevention and handling of violence and abuse and to non-governmental organisations that offer victim support. Conclusions: The YouthViolence survey findings and their wide applicability in knowledge and policy development highlight the importance of continuously and systematically mapping young people’s exposure to violence and abuse.