What is violence in close relationships?
Violence in close relationships refers to harmful behaviour between people who are close to one another – such as partners, a parent and a child, or close relatives. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial or sexual violence.
This kind of violence can happen in any family or relationship, regardless of social background, culture, age or gender. The effects are often serious and long-lasting.
Fortunately, support is available. The City of Helsinki, various organisations and the police offer help for both those who have experienced violence and those who have committed it. Help can come in many forms – from individual support to group and peer-based services. No one has to face this alone.
Services provided by the City
You can always talk to a professional about issues related to violence when visiting the City's health and social services. Support is available both for those who have experienced domestic violence and for those who have used violence.
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Crisis emergency services
Crisis emergency services provide help in sudden and serious crisis situations, such as the unexpected death of a loved one, fire or other accidents, violence, or a serious injury or illness.
Open 24/7. Standard telephone charges apply.
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Emergency social services
Emergency social services are available outside office hours and assess the need for urgent social welfare in Helsinki. If necessary, the appropriate services are arranged.
Open 24/7. Standard telephone charges apply.
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Support for families with children
If your family is facing a difficult situation and you need support, contact the service that assesses the need for child welfare and special support.
If you're worried about your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of a child close to you, please contact child welfare services.
If you are a student and need support, contact school social work and psychologist services.
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Support for young people and adults
- If you are experiencing a challenging life situation, contact social services.
- For counselling or help with applying for benefits, contact social counselling.
- If you are an immigrant and need guidance, call the immigrant advice helpline at +358 9 310 37577(Link starts a phone call) .
- For health issues, contact your local health station.
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Services for older people
If you are over 65 or helping someone who is, and need advice or service guidance, contact Senior Info at +358 9 310 4455(Link starts a phone call) .
If you need support in your daily life, explore service centre activities.
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Notification of concern
Are you worried about someone close to you or someone you’ve encountered? If you're concerned about a person's wellbeing, health or safety, you can submit a notification of concern. Social services will investigate the situation and offer help if needed. Notifications can be made anonymously or under your own name.
Services provided by organisations and other actors
General help phones and chats
Nollalinja
Free helpline and chat for those who have experienced domestic violence and violence against women, their loved ones and professionals. The person contacting us always has the option to remain anonymous if they wish. Contact Nollalinja, tel. 080 005 005(Link starts a phone call) .
Nollalinja(Link leads to external service)
RIKU Rikosuhripäivystys
Free helpline and chat. Advice and support for victims of crime, their loved ones and witnesses. Contact Victim Support Finland, tel. 116006(Link starts a phone call) .
RIKU(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters' online service and chat. Information and discussion support for all parties involved in violence and their loved ones.
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelter(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Help for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Telephone, chat and online letter for children and young people
The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare's help and support for everyone under the age of 25. You can contact us anonymously every day of the year about anything. The same number is available in the evenings by the Youth Support Line, which offers help and support to young people aged 12-20. The call is free of charge. Contact the children's and young people's helpline, tel. 116 111(Link starts a call) .
Nuortennetti(Link leads to external service)
Naisten linja
Free helpline and chat. For women and girls who have experienced violence and their loved ones. Contact the Women's Helpline, tel. 0800 02400(Link starts a call) .
Naisten linja(Link leads to external service)
Sekasin chat
Mieli ry's discussion service for 12–29-year-olds.
Sekasin(Link leads to external service)
OnksOK chat
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters provides information and support for children under the age of 18 when they are struggling at home or in a relationship.
Onks ok (Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvis
The Finnish Red Cross provides online discussion support for young people aged 12–29 and their loved ones by appointment.
Nettiturvis(Link leads to external service)
Sua varten somessa (For you on social media)
Loisto Setlementti ry's individual and group support for young people aged 12-21 who have experienced sexual harassment, harassment and bullying directly on social media platforms.
Sua varten somessa(Link leads to external service)
Sexual violence work
Loisto Setlementti ry's professionally guided peer support and individual support for young people aged 13–28 living in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area who have been subjected to sexual violence. Support and advice for loved ones and professionals.
Sexual health and sexual violence work(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Setlementti Tampere ry's support for people aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it and their loved ones. Contact Care! support, tel. 045 279 8090(Link starts a phone call) .
Välitä!(Link leads to external service)
Help for adults
Naisten linja
Free helpline and chat. For women and girls who have experienced violence and their loved ones. Contact the Women's Helpline, tel. 0800 02400(Link starts a call) .
Naisten linja(Link leads to external service)
Rape Crisis Centre Tukinainen
A free-of-charge helpline for those who have experienced sexual violence and/or abuse, their loved ones and professionals. The service is secure, confidential and questions can be asked anonymously. Contact the Rape Crisis Centre Tukinainen, tel. 0800 97899(Link starts a phone call) .
Nettitukinainen (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Setlementti Tampere ry's support for people aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it and their loved ones. Contact Care! support, tel. 045 279 8090(Link starts a phone call) .
Välitä!(Link leads to external service)
Väkivaltaa kokeneet miehet (Men who have experienced violence)
Miessakit ry's discussion support by phone, email, individual meetings and guided peer group meetings for men who have experienced violence at home or on the street. Service also in English. Contact us at 044 751 1340(Link starts a phone call) .
Väkivaltaa kokeneet miehet(Link leads to external service)
Lyömätön Linja
Miessakit ry's support for men who use or are afraid of using mental or physical violence against their loved ones. Contact the Lyömätön Linja, tel. 044 751 1334(Link starts a phone call) .
Lyömätön Linja(Link leads to external service)
Avoin Linja Phone and Chat
Maria Academy's support for women who use or fear using violence, as well as professionals who encounter different forms of violence and related phenomena in their work or work communities. You can also contact us anonymously. Contact Avoin Linja, tel. 09 756 222 60(Link starts a phone call) .
Naisen väkivalta(Link leads to external service)
SafetyNet Helsinki
The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare's individual support and professionally guided peer group activities for adults, children, families and couples who have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence or the threat thereof. Contact us tel. 040 645 3622(Link starts a phone call) .
SafetyNet Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry's individual, couple and family meetings for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children and loved ones. Contact the Domestic Violence Councelling Unit, tel. 050 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti (Online Shelter)
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters provides information and discussion support for all parties involved in violence and their loved ones.
Nettiturvakoti(Link leads to external service)
Family counselling for the parishes of Helsinki
Professional help in relationship problems and life crises. Contact us at 09 2340 2555(Link starts a phone call) .
Family councelling(Link leads to external service)
Help for the elderly
Suvantolinja
A free-of-charge helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly and their loved ones. Contact us tel. 0800 06776(Link starts a phone call) .
Suvantolinja(Link leads to external service)
Help in several languages, multicultural services
Crisis Center Monika
Free helpline and chat. Help for women and children with an immigrant background who have experienced domestic violence. All services are free of charge, and you don't need to give your name. Service languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, German, Somali, Finnish, Turkish, Russian and Estonian. You will also have the opportunity to receive interpreting assistance. Contact us tel. 0800 05058(Link starts a phone call) .
Crisis Center Monika(Link leads to external service)
Shelter Mona
Monika Women's Association's crisis assistance and safe living for women and children in a shelter located at a secret address. The service languages are Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, Somali, Finnish, Turkish and Russian. You will also have the opportunity to receive interpreting assistance. You can call and seek shelter from anywhere in Finland if it is dangerous to be at home or in the immediate community because of violence. The service is free of charge for you. Contact us tel. 045 6396 274(Link starts a phone call) .
Shelter Mona(Link leads to external service)
Sopu work
Loisto Settlement's help in honour-related crises and conflict situations. The service languages are Finnish, Swedish, English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Dari and Turkish. You will also have the opportunity to receive interpreting assistance. You can contact us under your own name or anonymously by phone, email, WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram. All discussions are confidential and the services are free of charge. Contact us tel. 010 508 8830(Link starts a phone call) .
Sopu work(Link leads to external service)
Miehen Linja
Lyömätön Linja in Espoo. Support for men with an immigrant background who use or fear using mental or physical violence against their loved ones. The service languages are Finnish, English, French and Greek. You will also have the opportunity to receive interpreting assistance. Contact us tel. 09 276 62 8 99(Link starts a phone call) .
Miehen Linja(Link leads to external service)
Suvantolinja
A free-of-charge helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly and their loved ones. Contact us tel. 0800 06776(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry's individual, couple and family meetings for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children and loved ones. Contact the Domestic Violence Councelling Unit, tel. 050 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters' online service and chat. Information and discussion support for all parties involved in violence and their loved ones.
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelter(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Lyömätön Linja
Miessakit ry's support for men who use or are afraid of using mental or physical violence against their loved ones. Contact the Lyömätön Linja, tel. 044 751 1334(Link starts a phone call) .
Lyömätön Linja(Link leads to external service)
Miehen Linja
Lyömätön Linja in Espoo. Support for men with an immigrant background who use or fear using mental or physical violence against their loved ones. The service languages are Finnish, English, French and Greek. You will also have the opportunity to receive interpreting assistance. Contact us tel. 09 276 62 8 99(Link starts a phone call) .
Miehen Linja(Link leads to external service)
Avoin Linja Phone and Chat
Maria Academy's support for women who use or fear using violence, as well as professionals who encounter different forms of violence and related phenomena in their work or work communities. You can also contact us anonymously. Contact Avoin Linja, tel. 09 756 222 60(Link starts a phone call) .
Naisen väkivalta(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Setlementti Tampere ry's support for people aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it and their loved ones. Contact Care! support, tel. 045 279 8090(Link starts a phone call) .
Välitä!(Link leads to external service)
Suvantolinja
A free-of-charge helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly and their loved ones. Contact us tel. 0800 06776(Link starts a phone call) .
Suvantolinja(Link leads to external service)
Family counselling for the parishes of Helsinki
Professional help in relationship problems and life crises. Contact us at 09 2340 2555(Link starts a phone call) .
Help around the clock
Nollalinja
Nollalinja is a nationwide, anonymous and free-of-charge helpline service for those who have experienced domestic violence and violence against women, their loved ones and professionals. You can call the service anonymously: you do not need to give your own name, and the operator answering the call will not see the caller's number. The call does not appear in the breakdown of the phone bill either. Up-to-date chat opening hours can be found on the website. Nollalinja serves in Finnish, Swedish and English, as well as in the following languages through an interpreting service: Arabic, Dari, Spanish, Farsi, Somali, Sorani, Thai, Ukrainian and Russian. The interpreting service is available around the clock. The Nollalinja telephone service is open 24/7 every day of the year at 080 005 005(Link starts a phone call) .
Nollalinja(Link leads to external service)
Mieli Mental Health Finland's crisis helpline and Crisis Chat
You can call the crisis helpline anonymously and confidentially. The crisis helpline is also available in Swedish and English. MIELI Mental Health Finland's Crisis Helpline is available in Finnish at 09 2525 0111(Link starts a phone call) and in English at 09 2525 0116(Link starts a phone call) .
Mieli Mental Health Finland's crisis helpline 24/7(Link leads to external service)
Seri Support Center for Victims of Sexual Assault
The Seri Support Center of the Women's Hospital is a support unit for people over the age of 16 who have experienced sexual violence, regardless of gender. It is a low-threshold service that you can apply for on your own, with your relatives or under the guidance of the authorities about what has happened within a month. You can call the helpline around the clock, even on weekends. The Seri Support Centre is on call at 040 701 8446(Link starts a phone call) .
Seri Support Center(Link leads to external service)
Shelters
Sophie Mannerheim’s Shelter
Sophie Mannerheim's Shelter is a 24/7, homelike place maintained by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Helsinki, where a person who has experienced violence or the threat of violence can receive protection and help to end the violence. Contact the Sophie Mannerheim Shelter by phone, tel. 0400 600 107(Link starts a phone call) .
Sophie Mannerheim’s Shelter(Link leads to external service)
Shelters Hertta, Tilkka and Pellas
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry’s shelters Hertta, Tilkka and Pellas offer immediate crisis support, 24-hour shelter services and psychosocial support, counselling and guidance in emergencies, regardless of gender or age. At the shelters, a person who has experienced violence can talk one-to-one with a worker specialised in violence work. Support for the post-shelter phase is available at the Kilpola Housing Unit’s supported housing service.
- Contact Shelter Hertta by phone, tel. 09 4777 180(Link starts a phone call) .
- Contact Shelter Tilkka by phone, tel. 050 565 0636(Link starts a phone call) .
- Contact Shelter Pellas by phone, tel. 040 457 3840(Link starts a phone call) .
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry(Link leads to external service)
Youth turvatalot ∣ Suomen Punainen risti
Youth shelters offer crisis accommodation and discussion help to young people aged 12–29, young adults and their loved ones. The Youth Shelter provides young people or their loved ones with support for everyday life, family conflicts or other problems. Help is available quickly and free of charge. You can contact the Youth Shelters by phone, WhatsApp or email. Contacts are answered 24/7 on weekdays. Crisis accommodation is open every day from 5 pm to 10 am. Contact the Youth Shelter by phone, tel. 09 622 4322(Link starts a phone call) .
Youth shelters(Link leads to external service)
Shelter Mona
Monika Women's Shelter Mona offers crisis help and safe living in several service languages in Finland's only shelter for women and children, located at a secret address.
You can call and seek shelter from anywhere in Finland if it is dangerous to be at home or in the immediate community because of violence. The services are free of charge.
Service languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, Somali, Finnish, Turkish and Russian. It is also possible to get interpreting help.
Contact Shelter Mona, tel. 045 6396 274(Link starts a phone call) (24/7).
Shelter Mona(Link leads to external service)
Peer support
Tyttöjen talo
Loisto Setlementti ry's support and activities for girls and women aged 10–28, taking into account gender diversity and the right to self-determination. We strengthen the inclusion of young people in the community and society.
Tyttöjen talo (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Poikien talo
Loisto Setlementti ry's support and activities for boys, men and those who are considering being a boy between the ages of 10 and 28.
Poikien talo (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry's individual, couple and family meetings for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children and loved ones. Contact the Domestic Violence Councelling Unit, tel. 050 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Councelling Unit(Link leads to external service)
SafetyNet Helsinki
The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare's individual support and professionally guided peer group activities for adults, children, families and couples who have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence or the threat thereof. Contact us tel. 040 645 3622(Link starts a phone call) .
Do you recognise violence?
Do you recognise violence directed at you?
It might be violence if:
- you don't feel safe being yourself at home
- someone puts you down or makes you feel worthless
- you feel afraid at home, school or with friends
- your basic needs are not being met
- your bodily integrity has been violated
Support and help are available.
Do you recognise violent behaviour in your own actions?
It's important to seek help if:
- you shout, lose your temper or break things
- you put down, threaten or pressure someone close to you
- you try to put control on your loved one's money, time or relationships
- you've been physically violent towards someone
- you've forced someone into sexual acts against their will
Support and help are available.
Explore the topic
Information in other languages
You can also find this page at hel.fi/helpforviolence .