Violence prevention has strengthened in wellbeing services counties – significant structural challenges remain
Efforts to prevent violence in the wellbeing services counties have developed in a positive direction in many respects over the past two years, according to a recent survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). At the same time, regional differences remain considerable, and in particular the weakening of coordination structures and the lack of services for perpetrators threaten the effectiveness and continuity of this work.
Violence against women and domestic violence can be life-threatening, and the number of domestic homicides in Finland has increased in recent years. According to THL, it is therefore more important than ever to develop and strengthen violence risk assessment and risk management, especially within the wellbeing services counties, which play a key role in preventing and addressing violence.
According to THL’s survey, more than half of the wellbeing services counties have drawn up an action plan for the prevention of violence or are currently preparing one. This strengthens the goal-oriented and long-term nature of the work.
Progress has also been made in defining and describing service pathways for different parties affected by domestic violence – victims, perpetrators and children. Clearer service pathways support timely access to help and improve professionals’ ability to identify and address violence.
“Service pathways help align services so that they meet the needs of different client groups. They support uninterrupted access to support and strengthen cooperation between various actors. It becomes easier for any professional to raise the issue of violence and support the client in an individual way when clear service structures have been defined in the area,” says Jenni Krogell, Specialist at THL.
Decline in coordinators raises concern
Despite positive developments, differences between the wellbeing services counties remain significant, and in some key areas the direction of development has even weakened. The number of violence prevention coordinators has decreased nationwide since 2023, threatening the continuity of systematic and coherent work.
It is also concerning that service pathways for people who use violence exist in only a few wellbeing services counties, even though work with perpetrators is essential for breaking the cycle of violence.
The issue is particularly topical, as the responsibilities of the wellbeing services counties in preventing violence have increased, for example as a result of a new EU directive. This further highlights the importance of coordination, clear leadership and adequate resources to ensure that violence prevention is implemented equitably across the country.
Need for a national review mechanism
To strengthen violence prevention and its knowledge base, THL proposes the establishment of a national review mechanism for domestic homicides. The mechanism would investigate the background of domestic homicides and, based on these findings, issue national recommendations for the prevention of violence. It would compile documentary information on victims and perpetrators and conduct interviews with concerned parties and authorities to gain case-specific insights into service contacts, warning signs and development needs. The mechanism would support decision-making and preventive efforts.
“The aim of the review mechanism would be to learn from events that have led to a homicide, prevent them and further develop risk assessment. Through this work, a strong knowledge base could be created to support the prevention of domestic violence and the provision of timely and professional services,” says Elisa Niklander, Team Leader for THL’s violence prevention work.
The survey is based on a questionnaire conducted by THL among members of the national network of violence prevention coordinators in the wellbeing services counties.
Contact details
Elisa Niklander
Team Leader, Development Manager
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 7097
Email: [email protected]
Jenni Krogell
Senior specialist
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 7709
Email: [email protected]
