Not everyone living with violence realizes they are victims. The startup Concensra is now conducting widespread testing of its digital tool to help more people understand their situation and get support sooner. This comes at a time when municipalities’ responsibility to prevent violence in intimate relationships has been strengthened.
The prototype is being tested at youth organizations, women’s shelters, and in regional and municipal programs. The tool is designed to provide support to victims of violence, their family members, and bystanders, while also serving as a practical resource for staff.
Stricter requirements for municipalities
This initiative comes at just the right time. Since July 2025, the new Social Services Act has imposed stricter requirements on municipalities regarding preventive efforts against domestic violence.
“Municipalities have been given a clearer responsibility to reach out to more people, but they haven’t been given any more hours in the day. One thing they can do today is refer people to, for example, a women’s shelter, but for many, the barrier to seeking help can feel high, and support is sometimes sought only after the situation has become serious,” explains Linda Bjermqvist, founder ofConcensra.
She emphasizes that the tool is not designed to replace human contact, but rather to complement the work of staff and reach those whom society currently overlooks—at a much earlier stage.
Fills the gap in the support system
The inspiration behind Concensra’s tool is Linda’s many years of experience working with vulnerable people. She observed a clear gap where public support struggled to provide clear information to those affected.
Linda therefore began working to create a support system that would include more people and cover more stages—from the initial uncertainty to the stage following one’s departure from the abusive situation.
“There are many people who don’t recognize themselves in the traditional descriptions—who don’t even realize they’re at risk. The idea is for staff to be able to easily offer the tool as a non-judgmental space where users can, at their own pace, gain greater insight and find a way forward,” she explains.
From a stack of papers to a digital resource
To take the leap from an idea to a working prototype, Linda turned to BizMakers’ incubator program.
– I had a stack of papers with all my information, but no background as an entrepreneur or in the tech industry. BizMaker helped me go from an idea to actually making everything work. It would have been very difficult without their guidance.
Based on collaboration with the public sector
To evaluate the work, follow-up research from Mid Sweden University is also being incorporated into the project. Over the next five years, Linda hopes that the tool will be used nationwide in efforts to prevent violence.
“I’ve tried to bridge the gap between victims of violence and public support, but I can’t do this on my own. The public sector has a major responsibility in this matter, and now, with the pilot program, collaboration will be crucial,” Linda concludes.
Contact
Linda Bjermqvist, Founder of Concensra
lindabjermqvist@concensra.se, 070 366 21 42
