Growing demand for women’s shelters amid rising domestic violence in Finland

In Finland, the home is not a safe space for women. One in three women has experienced violence from a partner. In cases of violent crimes against women, the perpetrator is often the victim’s current or former spouse. Across Finland, 29 shelters provide refuge for those facing domestic violence or its threat.

However, not all who seek help can find placement in their chosen shelter. Last year, around 5,400 individuals utilized shelter services, representing an increase of about 400 from previous years. Simultaneously, nearly 1,300 clients were redirected to other shelters due to full capacity, a significant rise from fewer than 900 in 2021. While some are referred elsewhere for safety or personal reasons, these instances are much fewer.

Suvi Nipuli, a development manager at THL, states that the growing demand for shelter space may partly stem from improved awareness about available services, though there are no signs of a decrease in domestic violence incidents. She emphasizes that no one will be left without shelter, even if that may require relocation within Finland. Currently, areas like Varsinais-Suomi and Pirkanmaa need more shelter spaces.

Typical clients of these shelters are mostly young women, many with small children, and often they have experienced both physical and emotional abuse. A majority have lived with their abuser prior to seeking help, with many survivors not reporting the violence to authorities.

The government, under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, has pledged to strengthen violence prevention efforts and improve shelter accessibility, with state funding for shelters seeing substantial increases in recent years. Nevertheless, Nipuli warns that shelters alone do not tackle the root causes of domestic violence, highlighting the need for broader support systems for both victims and perpetrators.