About Tillsammans
The Association Together (Föreningen Tillsammans) is a non-profit organization working towards a society free from sexual violence.
We are here for everyone between the age of 12–30 who’s been subjected to or knows someone who’s been affected by sexual violence.
By offering support, spreading knowledge and engaging in advocacy, we counteract and prevent sexual violence. We believe that change is possible.
Who we are
Our vision
The Association Together has a vision of a society free from sexual violence. A reality where the lives of young people are not shaped by structures that create unevenly distributed power. A reality where young people have both the knowledge and support to form intimate, romantic, and sexual relationships that are healthy and consentual.
Our identity
We at Together are a critical force in society. We are working to change the societal structures and norms that enable sexual violence.
Together was founded as an act of resistance against sexual violence, the power structures that create and perpetuate violence, and the stigma and stereotypes that surround those who have been affected. This resistance permeates the association and constitutes the core of how we work.
Through our efforts in spreading knowledge and providing support, we are also aiming to change the situation for individuals affected by sexual violence. We see a need to expand knowledge about the health consequences of sexual violence. Sexual violence is a significant public health issue. We strive for it to be taken seriously and for everyone to be offered support and treatment.
What we do
Support
We provide support to youth and young adults that are between 12–30 years old and have been subjected to sexual violence. We also offer our support to anyone who knows someone who’s been affected by sexual violence. We welcome everyone seeking our support regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
We have several support functions. We offer support through digital and physical support groups, individual counseling sessions with our counselors, as well as support via email and phone.
Education and knowledge
In order to prevent sexual violence, we need to change the attitudes, norms, and beliefs that create and normalize it. Therefore, we spread knowledge and awareness about sexual violence on our social media platforms and by giving lectures to both young people and professionals within our field. We also create new knowledge by gathering experiences from the individuals we meet in our organization and who have been subjected to sexual violence.
Advocacy and public opinion
We believe that change is possible – that sexual violence can be prevented, and that the situation for young people who have experienced sexual violence can be improved. Therefore, we work on advocacy and public opinion, for instance by writing opinion pieces and responses to inquiries, demonstrating, collaborating with other organizations, engaging in dialogue with politicians, and involving the public in the fight against sexual violence.
Our history
The Association Together was founded not just as a resistance against sexual violence, but also as a resistance against the power structures that enable and perpetuate violence, as well as the stigma and stereotypes surrounding sexual violence.
The idea of an organization emerged in 2013 when two girls met during group therapy for women who had experienced sexual violence. They found common ground in a shared frustration regarding the misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. They agreed that there were clear prejudices about what sexual violence entails and who the perpetrators are. They also agreed that these prejudices were harmful and that something had to be done to counter them.
In 2014, the girls founded the Association Together. The purpose was to amplify the voices of those who had experienced sexual violence—their stories and experiences. It was also aimed at fostering a greater understanding of both what sexual violence is and who is affected by it.
Today, the Association Together has a board, an office in Stockholm, and conducts support activities in several locations across Sweden. Together also conducts workshops and lectures for both the business sector, public institutions, and schools.
The resistance of Together still permeates the association today and forms the foundation for how we work.
Our organization
Would you like to know more about the Association Together; how we work and how our organization is constructed?
→ Read our statues (currently only available in Swedish)
→ Take a closer look at some of our policy documents (currently only available in Swedish)