The number of children in shelters for victims of domestic violence decreased last year
The number of clients in shelters for victims of domestic violence decreased last year compared to the previous year. Based on preliminary data, the number of adult clients increased slightly, but the number of children decreased. This was the first time there has been a small decrease in the number of shelter clients since 2015 when the responsibility for organising shelters for victims of domestic violence was transferred to THL.
“Based on preliminary data, the key observation is that the decreased number of clients is due to there being fewer children in shelters. It is extremely detrimental if children living in violent conditions haven’t been able to access shelter services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example”, says Joonas Peltonen, Development Manager of shelter services at THL.
There is an ongoing study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence and access to services, and the first findings have been published in January. Results regarding shelter services can be expected late this year.
A new shelter in Turku – increased client capacity in Tampere and Helsinki
The shelter network has been extended each year after 2015 when the Shelter Act that governs shelter services entered into force. At the same time, the number of clients has increased about 75%.
The number of places available for families will be increased by twenty during this year, which will bring the total to 231. With the new shelter opening in Turku, there will be a total of thirty shelters for victims of domestic violence.
“The investments made in shelter services have been big and essential. But we still have work to do before there are enough shelters in Finland”, says Peltonen.
New shelter capacity in 2021:
- A new shelter with 7 places will be opened in Moisio, Turku. The service is produced by JST Solum Oy.
- The shelter with 8 places located in Petsamo, Tampere will move to Kaukajärvi in Tampere. The new shelter will have a total of 18 family places in two separate departments. The service is produced by Tampereen Ensi- ja turvakoti ry.
- The shelter with 11 places located in Haaga, Helsinki will move to new facilities in Herttoniemi. The new shelter will have a total of 14 family places in two separate departments. The service is produced by Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry.
Clients are extremely satisfied with service
Most shelter clients are extremely satisfied with the shelter service. The overall score that the clients gave to the service was 4.8/5 in 2020. The clients gave the highest ratings to their sense of security during the service and the confidentiality of the service. These are findings from customer feedback collected at shelters for victims of domestic violence.
The feedback from clients will be used in the development of services. Based on the feedback, one avenue of improvement is targeting access to information about shelter services.
Last year, approximately 1200 clients responded to the survey for adults. The children's survey had nearly 400 respondents. Responding to the feedback survey is voluntary.
Further information:
Assessment on the sufficient number and costs of shelter places for families (in Finnish)
Shelter service statistics (in Finnish)
Joonas Peltonen
Development Manager
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7947
[email protected]
Suvi Nipuli
Senior Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 7205
[email protected]
