Who are the instructions for?
These instructions are intended for all providers of shelter services for victims of domestic violence in Finland. The instructions describe the schedule and implementation of the data collection.
All shelters operating in Finland are required to compile statistics on their operations and submit the data to THL in accordance with these instructions. This obligation is based on the selection decision made by THL concerning the provider of shelter services every five years.
Purpose of the data collection
Under the Istanbul Convention (53/2015), Finland is required to regularly collect and publish statistical data on the prevalence of violence against women and domestic violence. Data from the shelter statistics play a key role in monitoring the overall situation of domestic violence in Finland.
Data from the shelter statistics are used in developing the shelter network and in planning how shelter places should be distributed at the national level.
The statistical report is intended especially for decision-makers, authorities, shelter operators, the media and non-governmental organisations.
Submission of data
Providers of shelter services for victims of domestic violence must submit data concerning the shelter to THL once a year. The data are submitted to THL using an electronic data collection form.
THL sends the request for data and a link to the data collection form to shelters by email every year in January. The data must be submitted to THL by 1 March.
Schedule
THL collects statistical data from all shelters in Finland each year by 1 March.
THL began regular data collection on shelters for victims of domestic violence in 2015, when the Act on Compensation out of State Funds for Providers of Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence (1354/2014) entered into force.
Data content
The shelter statistics collected by THL contain information on the utilisation rate of shelters, the number and duration of client relationships, the forms of violence experienced by clients and clients’ background information.
A more detailed description of the shelter statistics and their data content is available in the quality report on the statistics and in the data catalogue.