Demand for shelter services continues to grow
The number of clients in domestic violence shelters has increased every year since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, there were 6,030 clients, which is four per cent more than in the previous year. The number of both female and male clients increased. Of the adult clients, 90 per cent were women and 9 per cent were men.
The statistics show that the adequacy of shelter places needs to be assessed in different parts of the country so that help can be provided in a timely manner to everyone who needs it.
In 2025, clients spent a total of 112,927 days in shelters, which is eight per cent more than in 2024.
The number of people referred to another shelter due to lack of space increased significantly
During 2025, clients were referred from one shelter to another a total of 2,420 times due to lack of space. The number includes enquiries about shelter places made by people who have experienced violence and by professionals on behalf of clients. Most referrals were made in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Pirkanmaa and Southwest Finland. There is more than one shelter in the Helsinki metropolitan area and in Pirkanmaa, whereas Southwest Finland has only one domestic violence shelter.
In 2025, the utilisation rate of shelters was 73 per cent. Shelter services are government-funded, legally defined special services for people who have experienced domestic violence or are living under the threat of it.
| Year | Clients |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 3055 |
| 2016 | 3535 |
| 2017 | 4 333 |
| 2018 | 5 063 |
| 2019 | 5 354 |
| 2020 | 5 244 |
| 2021 | 4 963 |
| 2022 | 5 163 |
| 2023 | 5 364 |
| 2024 | 5 759 |
| 2025 | 6030 |
About the data in more detail
Background information
- Statistical quality report
- Privacy notice
- Data description (Data resources catalogue)
- Instructions for submitting data
- Previous statistics (2024) (Julkari)
Source
Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence 2025
Statistical Report 17/2026, 28 May 2026.
Official Statistics of Finland, Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence. THL.
Description of the statistics
These statistics contain information on the utilisation rates of shelters, the number of shelter clients, the duration of stays, the forms of violence experienced by the clients and the clients’ background information. The statistics also contain national data on days spent in shelters.
THL began regular data collection on shelters for victims of domestic violence in 2015, when the Act on Compensation Payable from State Funds to Shelter Service Providers (1354/2014) entered into force.
All shelters are required to compile statistics on their operations and submit the data to THL on the basis of the decision concerning shelter service providers. Statistical data are collected annually from all shelters in Finland.
Update schedule
The statistics are published annually in May, and the preliminary data in January of the year following the statistical year.
Contact details
Development Manager
[email protected]
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