Mediation in cases of domestic violence was discussed under the leadership of Minister Grahn-Laasonen
The Government Programme states that, as a rule, mediation in cases involving domestic or family violence will be discontinued. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen invited a wide range of organisations and experts to discuss the issue on 4 October.
Finland is committed to the Istanbul Convention, which aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and violence occurring in families. The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention has encouraged Finland to ensure that mediation in cases involving violence against women does not prevent the bringing of charges or the criminal investigation of such cases. GREVIO, the expert body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention, has also expressed its concern over mediation in cases involving domestic violence.
“Violence in families and intimate partner relationships is a stain on gender equality in Finland. For this reason, the Government Programme states that mediation in cases involving domestic or family violence will be discontinued. It is not right that those who use domestic violence can get away without being punished,” says Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.
Arguments for and against mediation were made at the meeting
The issue has sparked debate in Finland both for and against. Those who oppose mediation point out that domestic violence is a manifestation of extremely unequal power relations between the victim and the perpetrator. Because of this, it may be difficult to ensure that the victim participates in the mediation process voluntarily. A settlement between the parties may also lead to the waiving of charges, in which case the perpetrator is not held criminally liable.
Those who are in favour of mediation consider it a service where the parties can meet each other and receive support. If it was discontinued, the State would no longer in future offer the parties an opportunity to use the corrective legal service. Instead of discontinuing mediation, one option could be that, in future, a settlement between the parties could not be the reason for not considering prosecution.
During the round table discussion, arguments were made for and against mediation in cases involving domestic violence. Minister Grahn-Laasonen thanked the participants for their diverse viewpoints.
“Domestic violence cannot be mediated in the same way as other types of offences. The power relations between the victim and the perpetrator are problematic, and the person who has experienced violence may agree to mediation at the risk of their own safety and against their own best interests. However, a key question here is what kinds of services are needed in place when mediation is discontinued,” says Grahn-Laasonen.
Inquiries:
Laura Rissanen, State Secretary (gender equality), [email protected], tel. +358 0295 163 632
Niilo Heinonen, Special Adviser (communications and media relations), [email protected], tel. +358 295 163 603
Press release was corrected on 10 October 15.30 pm. The sentence about the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention recommending that Finland discontinue mediation in cases involving domestic violence was revised in the press release.