Domestic violence in Norway is officially referred to as vold i nære relasjoner (English: violence in close relationships). It is defined as: Violence or threats of violence against persons who are or have been married or who live or have lived in marriage-like relationships. It also applies to siblings, children, parents, grandparents and others in a straight ascending or descending line, as well as adoptive-, foster- and step-relationships. The exercise of violence is independent of location.