2026-01-142025/26:AU5 · p.3AULabour market
Economic abuse in legislation
Economic abuse in intimate relationships and the law
What's at stake: Economic abuse — where one partner controls the other's money, runs up debt in their name, or blocks financial independence — makes it harder to leave a violent relationship. The question is whether rules on matters such as division of property, maintenance, credit and e-identification should be reviewed quickly, or wait for a broader, comprehensive strategy.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The reserving party (SD) wanted the government immediately tasked with a comprehensive legal review of how economic abuse is handled in legislation and with introducing an economic contact ban, while the committee held that the issue is best addressed through the government's forthcoming national strategy against men's violence against women.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the Riksrevisionen (Swedish National Audit Office) review and regards economic abuse as a serious form of violence and oppression, but trusts that the government will address the issue appropriately within the comprehensive national strategy against men's violence against women announced for 2026, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 4 (SD)
The reserving party (SD) agrees with the National Audit Office's findings of shortcomings in the legislation, including around division of property, maintenance, credit and e-identification, and wants the government to carry out a comprehensive legal review within twelve months of how economic abuse is handled, and to introduce an economic contact ban preventing perpetrators from incurring debt or taking other financial actions against the victim.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 4 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 17/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 16/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/61/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:3830 by Sara Gille et al. (SD) proposals 2 and 3 and 2025/26:3836 by Helena Vilhelmsson et al. (C) proposal 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:3830 av Sara Gille m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 2 och 3 samt 2025/26:3836 av Helena Vilhelmsson m.fl. (C) yrkande 3.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag has considered a statement from the government based on the National Audit Office's report on the state's efforts against economic abuse in close relationships. Economic abuse means, for example, taking control over and controlling another person's finances. The Riksdag welcomes the National Audit Office's examination and believes that it shows that the work against economic abuse must continue and be intensified and that economic abuse must be made more visible. The report contains four recommendations to the government and two to relevant agencies. The Riksdag notes that the government has implemented some measures based on the recommendations. Among other things, the government has initiated a review of the rules on property division and consideration time in the Marriage Code. The Riksdag also notes that the government is working on developing a new long-term strategy on, among other things, men's violence against women and that the government, as part of that work, will continue the work to prevent and combat economic abuse. The Riksdag filed the statement, that is, closed the matter. At the same time, the Riksdag said no to a number of motions on the subject, two of which were submitted during the general motion period in 2025.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to establish a national definition of economic abuse and assign authorities to develop indicators and statistics for systematic monitoring. (SD) — Reservation 4
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The party programme explicitly counts economic abuse as one of the power patterns that work against patriarchal violence should be directed against and wants to move away from expectations of being able to control one's partner.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly counts economic abuse as one of the power patterns that work against patriarchal violence should be directed against and wants to move away from expectations of being able to control one's partner. A legal review and an economic contact ban are concrete expressions of that. The election manifesto also directly links women's economic dependence to the ability to leave a violent relationship.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet räknar uttryckligen ekonomiskt våld till de maktmönster som arbetet mot patriarkalt våld ska rikta sig mot och vill bort från förväntningar om att kunna kontrollera sin partner. En lagöversyn och ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud är konkreta uttryck för det. Valplattformen kopplar dessutom kvinnors ekonomiska beroende direkt till möjligheten att lämna en våldsam relation.
- economic abuse as a form of violencedecisive»de maktmönster som riskerar att gå över i psykiskt, fysiskt, sexuellt« (party programme ↗)“the power patterns that risk developing into psychological, physical, sexual”
- against control in close relationships»kunna kontrollera sin partner eller sina närstående.« (party programme ↗)“being able to control one's partner or one's loved ones.”
- economic dependence locks people in»Många kvinnor kan inte lämna destruktiva förhållanden för att deras ekonomi är för dålig« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Many women cannot leave destructive relationships because their finances are too poor”
- functioning justice system for women»Det är viktigt att rättssystemet fungerar, att kvinnors erfarenheter tas på allvar och att de som begår brott döms.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important that the justice system works, that women's experiences are taken seriously and that those who commit crimes are sentenced.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's commitment to forceful combat of men's violence against women and violence in close relationships, with toughened penalties and support for victims, supports the stance.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's commitment to forceful combat of men's violence against women and violence in close relationships, with toughened penalties and support for victims, supports the stance. A comprehensive legal review and economic contact prohibition are tools for society to stand firm against the person exercising power over a victim. The plan does not address the individual legal areas, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planens åtagande om kraftfullt bekämpande av mäns våld mot kvinnor och våld i nära relationer, med skärpta straff och stöd till utsatta, bär ställningstagandet. En samlad lagöversyn och ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud är verktyg för att samhället ska stå orubbligt mot den som utövar makt över en utsatt. Planen behandlar inte de enskilda rättsområdena, så slutsatsen är härledd.
- action against men's violencedecisive»• Krafttag för att stoppa hedersrelaterat våld, sexualbrott och mäns våld mot kvinnor. Vi vill fort sätta den politiska riktning som skärpt straffen för våld och andra kränkningar i nära relationer, och som ökat resurserna till kvinno- och tjejjourernas viktiga arbete.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“• Action to stop honour-related violence, sexual crimes and men's violence against women. We want to continue the political direction that has toughened penalties for violence and other violations in close relationships, and that has increased resources to women's and girls' helpline organizations' important work.”
- violence as exercise of power»Mäns våld mot kvinnor är en maktutövning som står i direkt motsats mot dessa principer.« (party programme ↗)“Men's violence against women is an exercise of power that stands in direct contrast to these principles.”
- punishment proportional to crime»Straff i paritet med brottens allvar.« (party programme ↗)“Punishment in proportion to the seriousness of the crime.”
- society's safety responsibility»Samhället har ett grundläggande ansvar att säkra tryggheten i landet.« (party programme ↗)“Society has a fundamental responsibility to ensure safety in the country.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that society should clearly act against the perpetrator of violence instead of restricting the victim's freedom, and counts economic abuse as violence in intimate relationships.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that society should clearly act against the perpetrator of violence instead of restricting the victim's freedom, and counts economic abuse as violence in intimate relationships. An economic restraining order that prevents the perpetrator from placing the victim in debt is exactly such a measure directed at the perpetrator, and a law review follows from the requirement for strong action. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att samhället tydligt ska agera mot våldsutövaren i stället för att begränsa offrets frihet, och räknar ekonomiskt våld till våldet i nära relationer. Ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud som hindrar förövaren från att skuldsätta den utsatta är just en sådan åtgärd riktad mot förövaren, och en lagöversyn följer av kravet på krafttag. Planen stöder därför motförslaget.
- measures directed at the perpetratordecisive»Vi måste tydligt agera mot våldsutövare, inte begränsa offrens frihet.« (party programme ↗)“We must clearly act against perpetrators of violence, not restrict victims' freedom.”
- economic abuse as a form of violence»Det kan vara fysiskt, psykiskt, sexuellt eller ekonomiskt.« (party programme ↗)“It can be physical, psychological, sexual or economic.”
- strong action against intimate partner violence»Miljöpartiet vill se krafttag för att mäns våld mot kvinnor, hedersförtryck, sexhandel och våld i nära relationer ska upphöra.« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party wants to see strong action so that men's violence against women, honor-based oppression, sexual trafficking and intimate partner violence shall cease.”
- restrict the perpetrator's freedom of action»att våldsutsatta kvinnor som tvingas gömma sig ska få starkare skydd och att fler som utövar våld ska få fotboja.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“that violence victims forced to hide should receive stronger protection and that more perpetrators of violence should receive electronic monitoring bracelets.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to criminalize controlling behavior and expand the use of electronic monitoring in restraining orders, which is the same logic as an economic restraining order against the perpetrator's debt incurred in the victim's name.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to criminalize controlling behavior and expand the use of electronic monitoring in restraining orders, which is the same logic as an economic restraining order against the perpetrator's debt incurred in the victim's name. The party furthermore wants to lead Sweden to greater economic gender equality and strengthen women's empowerment. A comprehensive legal review of property division, maintenance and credit therefore follows from the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill kriminalisera kontrollerande beteende och utvidga användningen av elektronisk fotboja vid kontaktförbud, vilket är samma logik som ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud mot förövarens skuldsättning i den utsattas namn. Partiet vill dessutom leda Sverige till större ekonomisk jämställdhet och stärka kvinnors egenmakt. En samlad lagöversyn av bodelning, underhåll och krediter följer därför av planens åtaganden.
- criminalize controlling behaviordecisive»Män som slår ska inte komma undan. Vi vill höja straffen för sexualbrott, grov fridskränkning och grov kvinnofridskränkning. Dessutom vill vi kriminalisera kontrollerande beteende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Men who use violence shall not escape. We want to increase sentences for sexual crimes, serious assault and serious violence against women. In addition, we want to criminalize controlling behavior.”
- expanded restraining orders»Vi vill att elektronisk fotboja används i fler fall vid kontaktförbud« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want electronic monitoring to be used in more cases of restraining orders”
- economic gender equality»Vi ska dessutom leda Sverige till större ekonomisk jämställdhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall furthermore lead Sweden to greater economic gender equality.”
- society free from domestic violence»vill se ett samhälle fritt från våld i hemmet, människohandel och prostitution.« (party programme ↗)“wants to see a society free from domestic violence, human trafficking and prostitution.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan says that measures against violence in intimate relationships shall focus on perpetrators and that these shall be able to be imposed extensive restrictions on their freedom of movement.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says that measures against violence in intimate relationships shall focus on perpetrators and that these shall be able to be imposed extensive restrictions on their freedom of movement. An economic contact restriction that prevents the perpetrator from taking on debt directed at the victim is the same kind of restriction, but in the economic area. The plan also points out economic power as a central equality issue, which bears the demand for a comprehensive law review.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger att insatserna mot våld i nära relationer ska fokusera på förövarna och att dessa ska kunna åläggas omfattande begränsningar i sin rörelsefrihet. Ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud som hindrar förövaren från skuldsättning riktad mot den utsatta är samma slags begränsning, fast på det ekonomiska området. Planen pekar också ut ekonomisk makt som en central jämställdhetsfråga, vilket bär kravet på en samlad lagöversyn.
- restrictions for perpetratorsdecisive»Insatserna för att förebygga och förhindra våld i nära relationer måste fokusera på förövarna. Förövarna ska genomgå behandling samt kunna åläggas omfattande begränsningar i den geografiska rörelsefriheten.« (party programme ↗)“Measures to prevent and stop violence in intimate relationships must focus on perpetrators. Perpetrators shall undergo treatment and be able to be imposed extensive restrictions on geographic freedom of movement.”
- economic power and equality»Skillnaden i ekonomisk makt mellan kvinnor och män är en central jämställdhetsfråga.« (party programme ↗)“The difference in economic power between women and men is a central equality issue.”
- men's violence as a power issue»Mäns våld och förtryck mot kvinnor är det mest extrema uttrycket för kvinnors utsatthet och har sin grund i synen på kön, makt och sexualitet.« (party programme ↗)“Men's violence and oppression of women is the most extreme expression of women's vulnerability and has its roots in views on gender, power and sexuality.”
- tougher legislation and support»Vi vill se en ökad handlingskraft mot sexuellt våld och våld mot kvinnor genom bland annat högre straff för sexualbrott och ett bättre skydd och stöd för offren.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see increased action against sexual violence and violence against women through among other things higher sentences for sexual crimes and better protection and support for victims.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto makes security a priority area and wants to strike at gang crime's tools and role models, and the party programme requires that all crimes be effectively and without exception combated.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto makes security a priority area and wants to strike at gang crime's tools and role models, and the party programme requires that all crimes be effectively and without exception combated. Sharper measures against companies as crime tools follow from this. That new laws should be tested from a small business perspective at the same time argues against a higher minimum capital requirement, which is why the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att lagstiftningen markerar att våld mot kvinnor är ett allvarligt brott och att våldsutsatta ges adekvat stöd och skydd. En samlad lagöversyn av bodelning, underhåll och krediter samt ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud som hindrar förövaren från att skuldsätta den utsatta skyddar dessutom den äganderätt som planen betraktar som en mänsklig rättighet. Motförslagets krav stöds därför av planen.
- combating crime prioritizeddecisive»I lagstiftningen måste markeras att våld mot kvinnor är ett allvarligt« (party programme ↗)“We prioritize security, we are ready to combat crime.”
- all crimes shall be combated»Kvinnor, män och barn som utsatts för våld i en nära relation ska ges adekvat stöd och skydd.« (party programme ↗)“All crimes shall be effectively and without exception combated”
- strike at criminals' tools»Rätten till egendom är en mänsklig rättighet« (party programme ↗)“Seize criminals' status symbols and in this way combat negative role models that recruit young people into gang crime.”
- small business perspective»Samhället ska ställa sig på brottsoffrets sida.« (party programme ↗)“Forthcoming laws should be tested from a small business perspective.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to introduce contact bans and electronic monitoring immediately when a risk assessment shows a need, thus a protective measure before further harm occurs.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to introduce contact bans and electronic monitoring immediately when a risk assessment shows a need, thus a protective measure before further harm occurs. An economic contact ban that prevents the perpetrator from putting the victim in debt is the same type of measure. The plan also promises a new criminal code with the crime victim at the centre and new criminal classifications against oppression, which supports a comprehensive legal review.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill införa kontaktförbud och fotboja direkt när en riskbedömning visar behov, alltså ett ingripande skydd innan ytterligare skada sker. Ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud som hindrar förövaren från att skuldsätta den utsatta är samma slags åtgärd. Planen lovar dessutom en ny brottsbalk med brottsoffret i centrum och nya brottsrubriceringar mot förtryck, vilket stöder en samlad lagöversyn.
- contact ban immediately on riskdecisive»Införa kontaktförbud och fotboja direkt för en man som utsätter en kvinna för våld, om en riskbedömning visar att det finns behov« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce contact bans and electronic monitoring immediately for a man who subjects a woman to violence, if a risk assessment shows there is a need”
- crime victim at centre»Införa en ny brottsbalk för att skifta fokus från gärningsmannen till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a new criminal code to shift focus from the perpetrator to the crime victim”
- new criminal classification against oppression»Införa ett särskilt brott – olaga frihetsbegränsning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a special crime – unlawful deprivation of liberty”
- strengthened crime victim compensation»Dubbla skadestånden till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Double the damages to crime victims”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan explicitly requires improved possibilities for contact bans and that the crime victim's position is strengthened, as well as that the right to compensation is guaranteed so that the victim does not end up in financial difficulty.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires improved possibilities for contact bans and that the crime victim's position is strengthened, as well as that the right to compensation is guaranteed so that the victim does not end up in financial difficulty. The counter-proposal's demand for an economic contact ban that prevents the perpetrator from taking on debt directed at the victim, as well as a comprehensive legal review, is in line with these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen förbättrade möjligheter till kontaktförbud och att brottsoffrets ställning stärks, liksom att rätten till skadestånd garanteras så att den utsatta inte hamnar i ekonomisk kläm. Motförslagets krav på ett ekonomiskt kontaktförbud som hindrar förövaren från skuldsättning riktad mot den utsatta, samt en samlad lagöversyn, ligger i linje med dessa åtaganden.
- expanded contact bansdecisive»Förbättra möjligheterna till kontaktförbud« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Improve possibilities for contact bans”
- strengthened victim support»Stärka brottsoffrets ställning och öka stödet till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the crime victim's position and increase support to crime victims”
- guaranteed financial restitution»Rätten till skadestånd måste garanteras« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right to compensation must be guaranteed”
- intensified fight against violence»Stärka kampen mot våld och överfall« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the fight against violence and assault”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:AU5)
- Committee report full text (HD01AU5)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1826 — Åtgärder mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Aylin Nouri (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2834 — Ett jämställt samhälle av Helena Vilhelmsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:3827 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:23 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Ardalan Shekarabi m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:3828 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:23 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Maj Karlsson m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:3830 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:23 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Sara Gille m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:3833 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:23 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Janine Alm Ericson m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2025/26:3836 — med anledning av skr. 2025/26:23 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer av Helena Vilhelmsson m.fl. (C)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2025/26:23 — Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser mot ekonomiskt våld i nära relationer
Source: The Swedish Parliament