The number of clients in shelters for victims of domestic violence is rising, an increasing number of clients come without children
The number of clients in shelters for victims of domestic violence began to rise in 2022. According to THL’s recent statistics, the increase was four per cent compared to 2021. The number of both adult clients and children increased. Especially the number of clients coming to a shelter without children was increasing.
The pandemic years temporarily stopped the increase in the number of shelter clients
In 2022, the shelters had over 5,000 clients, 57% of whom were adults and 43% children. Of adults, 91% were women and 9% were men. The total number of days spent in shelters was slightly under 90,000, which was about 5,000 more than in 2021.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of shelters for victims of domestic violence increased every year since 2015. The pandemic broke the trend, and the number of shelter clients decreased in 2020 and 2021.
“The number of clients in the shelters does not only mean that the need for the service has increased. The availability of shelter services has significantly improved in recent years as the number of shelters has increased in Finland. As a result, more of those who needed help have now also received it,” says Suvi Nipuli, Development Manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s Shelter Services.
Figure 1. Client numbers of shelters for victims of domestic violence 2017–2022.
More than half of adults come to a shelter without children
The number of adults coming to a shelter alone without children continued the earlier rise last year, when for the first time, more than half of the adults coming to a shelter came without children.
The Act on Shelter Services took effect in 2015, after which a person experiencing violence in close relationships or the threat of violence did not need a separate referral to access the service. All those who need the service, regardless of whether or not they have children, are entitled to shelter services.
“Before the Act on Shelter Services, mainly families with children received payment commitments for shelter services. Each year, information on the fact that shelters serve everyone equally, is reaching professionals and the general population better and better. After the Act on Shelter Services took effect, the service has been better accessible to all client groups”, Nipuli says.
Figure 2. Adult clients who arrived at the shelter without children in 2016–2022.
Finnish shelters now have 230 family places
At the end of 2022, there were a total of 29 shelters in Finland providing a total of 228 places for clients coming as a family or alone. In recent years, it has been possible to significantly increase the number of shelters. There are currently 230 family places in Finland.
A shelter provides not only temporary protection but also active measures to stop violence in close relationships. The goal is for more adults and children to be able to continue their lives without violence or the threat of violence after the shelter period.
Shelter services are state-funded special services for those who have experienced violence in close relationships or are living under threat of it. A person experiencing domestic violence or the threat of violence does not need a separate referral to get to the shelter, but about half of the clients come to the shelter under the guidance of other services.
Further information
Shelters for victims of domestic violence (thl.fi) (link in Finnish)
Nollalinja. fi – help against violence in close relationships (nollalinja.fi)
Suvi Nipuli
Development Manager, Shelter Services
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
[email protected]
