Preventing domestic and intimate partner violence

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the planning and steering of the prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence.

The aim is to develop the nationwide service system so that it will be able to provide services and support to all parties in domestic and intimate partner violence irrespective of their place of residence. Preventive methods are also developed actively.

Family members and intimate partners may be experiencing violence or threat of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual or economic violence or destruction of property. Neglect and abuse, too, constitute violence.

A Committee for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence started operating at the beginning of 2017. It is related to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The term of the Committee will last four years, from 21.1.2021–20.1.2025 . The Committee operates under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 

• Committee for Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Gateway to Information on Government Projects) (In Finnish) 

• Action plan for the Istanbul Convention for 2018–2021 (Institutional Repository for the Government Valto)

Finland is committed to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). The Convention entered into force in Finland on 1 August 2015.

• Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)

Domestic and intimate partner violence in the Criminal Code

Provisions on domestic and intimate partner violence are laid down by the Criminal Code of Finland, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Justice.

• Criminal Code of Finland 39/1889 (Finlex)

Authorities’ responsibilities

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare(THL) coordinates the nationwide work to prevent domestic and intimate partner violence.

• Prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence (in Finnish) (THL)

Mediation in domestic violence cases under review

The Advisory Board on Mediation in Criminal Cases has appointed a working group to review the current practices of mediation in cases of domestic and intimate partner violence. The interim report should be completed by the end of 2017 and final report in spring 2019 at the latest. Mediation in cases of domestic and intimate partner violence is mentioned in the Government Action Plan for Gender Equality.

• Mediation in criminal and civil cases (In Finnish)

Guidelines and recommendations

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has issued recommendations for health and social services concerning the prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence.

• Recognise, protect and act (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2008:9) (In Finnish)
• To whom the strikes belong? (Handbooks of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2005:7) (In Finnish)
• How to talk about violence with clients (pdf) (In Finnish)
• Refuge services for victims of intimate partner and domestic violence (Reports of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2010:1) (In Finnish)

The handbook on immigrant women and violence supports professionals in helping immigrant women who have experienced violence.

• Immigrant women and violence (Handbooks of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2005:15) (In Finnish)

The National Action Plan against Disciplinary Violence aimed to strengthen the human dignity of children and to increase mutual respect between children and their parents.

• National Action Plan for safety promotion of the children and Youth (in Finnish)
• National Action Plan against Disciplinary Violence 2010–2015 (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2010:7) (In Finnish)