Navigating Ethical and Legal Tensions in Mandatory Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from Norwegian Assault Centers

The findings show tensions between medical practices and legal and ethical standards, which contributed to hesitation in reporting severe IPV cases to the police. Health-care professionals prioritized therapeutic relationships and patient confidentiality, sometimes at the expense of their responsibilities concerning the MR-IPV law. Addressing these challenges requires enhancing legal literacy and fostering a cultural shift in health care to align professional autonomy with legal requirements and institutional responsibilities.