Domestic violence

Bickering and arguing is a normal part of every relationship and family. However, if your arguments tend to escalate and become a daily occurrence, you should seek help.
Photo: Mari Huhtanen

Bickering and arguing is a normal part of every relationship and family. However, if your arguments tend to escalate and become a daily occurrence, you should seek help from couples therapy, for example. 

If the arguing bothers you, raise the matter at the family counselling clinic. Remember that the earlier you address issues, the sooner work on finding solutions can begin. 

It is healthy to set boundaries around conflict and arguments. No matter how angry you or your spouse may be, keep in mind that arguing should never involve violence. 

All actions that are hurtful, threatening or frightening are acts of violence. In other words, violence is much more than just hurting someone physically. If you are considering getting help, it usually means that you should do so. 

It is your job as an adult is to protect your child from all forms of violence. Every family member has the right to get angry, but even then, violence must not be tolerated. 

Read more about domestic violence

Support and help from organisations for victims and perpetrators of violence

Vanhempainnetti online service for parents (Mannerheim League for Child Welfare) in Finnish
The Vanhempainnetti online service for parents by Mannerheim League for Child Welfare provides actionable tips for constructive arguing.
Online shelter (Federation of Mother and Child Shelters, in Finnish)
The online shelter by the Federation of Mother and Child Shelters contains lots of useful information on identifying violence and surviving it. The site also includes a chat service, where you can ask for help.
SafetyNet Helsinki (Mannerheim League for Child Welfare)
SafetyNet Helsinki offers both short-term support and long-term peer group activities for people who have experienced violence.
Domestic Violence Counselling Unit (Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry)
The Domestic Violence Counselling Unit of Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry provides conversational support for all family members when the family is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence or the threat of it.
MONIKA – Multicultural Women’s Association Finland
The free-of-charge services of Crisis Centre Monika are intended for immigrant women. Help is also available anonymously and in many different languages.
Women’s Line
The Women’s Line is intended for girls and women of all ages who have experienced violence or the threat of it. Service is available by phone or chat.
Lyömätön Linja (Miessakit ry)
Lyömätön Linja is a form of activities for men specialising in preventing intimate partner and domestic violence. The aim is for the client to better understand his own way of operating, the factors behind it and to learn to perceive alternative models.
SafetyNet Helsinki (Mannerheim League for Child Welfare)
SafetyNet Helsinki helps people who are experiencing violence or the threat of it in their intimate relationship or family. Help is available for adults, children, families and couples.

You might be interested in

Couples therapy
We provide conversational support for interaction issues in relationships, such as lack of intimacy, poor emotional connection, recurring fighting, threat of separation, or a serious infidelity crisis.
Family counselling clinic
The family counselling clinic helps families in matters related to parenting, problematic family situations and crises. We employ social workers and psychologists. We can also consult a child psychiatrist, if necessary.
Service needs assessment and support for families with children
We offer families with children advice, support and help in difficult life situations
What is child welfare?
The purpose of child welfare services is to protect the rights of children.