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 anyone affected by domestic violence or violence against women – including victims, their loved ones and professionals. You can contact us anonymously if you wish.
Call Nollalinja at 080 005 005(Link starts a phone call) .
Nollalinja(Link leads to external service)
RIKU Rikosuhripäivystys
Free helpline and chat offering advice and support for victims of crime, their loved ones and witnesses.
Contact Victim Support Finland at 116006(Link starts a phone call) .
RIKU(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti
Online service and chat provided by the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters. Offers information and discussion-based support for anyone affected by violence – including all parties involved and their loved ones.
The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters(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
Help and support from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare for everyone under the age of 25. It is possible to make contact anonymously, every day of the year, about any topic.
In the evenings, the same number connects to the Youth Support Line, which offers free support to young people aged 12–20.
Call the Children’s and Young People’s Helpline at 116 111(Link starts a phone call) . The call is free of charge.
Nuortennetti(Link leads to external service)
Naisten linja
Free helpline and chat for women and girls who have experienced violence, as well as their loved ones.
Contact the Women’s Helpline at 0800 02400(Link starts a phone 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
Professionally guided peer support and individual support from Loisto Setlementti ry for young people aged 13–28 in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area who have experienced sexual violence.
Support and guidance are also available for loved ones and professionals.
Sexual health and sexual violence work(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Support from Setlementti Tampere ry for people aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it, and their loved ones.
Contact Välitä! at +358 45 279 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, as well as their loved ones.
Contact the Women’s Helpline at 0800 02400(Link starts a phone call) .
Naisten linja(Link leads to external service)
Rape Crisis Centre Tukinainen
A free helpline for anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse, as well as their loved ones and professionals. The service is safe, confidential, and questions can be asked anonymously.
Contact the Rape Crisis Centre Tukinainen at 0800 97899(Link starts a phone call) .
Nettitukinainen (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Support from Setlementti Tampere ry for individuals aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it, and their loved ones.
Contact Välitä! at +358 45 279 8090(Link starts a phone call) .
Välitä!(Link leads to external service)
Väkivaltaa kokeneet miehet (Men who have experienced violence)
Discussion support from Miessakit ry for men who have experienced violence at home or on the street, available by phone, email, individual meetings, and guided peer group meetings. Service is also available in English.
Contact at +358 44 751 1340(Link starts a phone call) .
Väkivaltaa kokeneet miehet(Link leads to external service)
Lyömätön Linja
Support from Miessakit ry for men who use or are afraid of using mental or physical violence against their loved ones.
Contact Lyömätön Linja at +358 44 751 1334(Link starts a phone call) .
Lyömätön Linja(Link leads to external service)
Avoin Linja Phone and Chat
Support from Maria Academy for women who use or fear using violence, as well as professionals who encounter various forms of violence and related issues in their work or work communities.
Anonymous contact is also available.
Contact Avoin Linja at +358 9 756 222 60(Link starts a phone call) .
Naisen väkivalta(Link leads to external service)
SafetyNet Helsinki
Individual support and professionally guided peer group activities from the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare for adults, children, families, and couples who have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence, or the threat of it.
Contact at +358 40 645 3622(Link starts a phone call) .
SafetyNet Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
The Domestic Violence Counselling Unit
Individual, couple, and family meetings from Pääkaupungin Turvakoti ry for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children, and loved ones.
Contact the Domestic Violence Counselling Unit at +358 50 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Counselling 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 for relationship problems and life crises.
Contact at +358 9 2340 2555(Link starts a phone call) .
Family counselling(Link leads to external service)
Help for the elderly
Suvantolinja
A free helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly, as well as their loved ones.
Contact at 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 offering support for women and children with an immigrant background who have experienced domestic violence.
All services are free of charge, and you do not need to provide your name.
Service languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, German, Somali, Finnish, Turkish, Russian, and Estonian. Interpreting assistance is also available.
Contact at 0800 05058(Link starts a phone call) .
Crisis Center Monika(Link leads to external service)
Shelter Mona
Monika Women’s Association offers crisis assistance and safe accommodation for women and children at a shelter located at a confidential address.
Service languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, Somali, Finnish, Turkish, and Russian. Interpreting assistance is also available.
You can call and seek shelter from anywhere in Finland if it is unsafe to remain at home or in your immediate community due to violence.
The service is free of charge.
Contact at +358 45 6396 274(Link starts a phone call) .
Shelter Mona(Link leads to external service)
Sopu work
Loisto Settlement offers help with honour-related crises and conflict situations.
Service languages: Finnish, Swedish, English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, and Turkish. Interpreting assistance is also available.
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 at 010 508 8830(Link starts a phone call) .
Sopu work(Link leads to external service)
Miehen Linja
Lyömätön Linja in Espoo offers support for men with an immigrant background who use or fear using mental or physical violence against their loved ones.
Service languages: Finnish, English, French, and Greek. Interpreting assistance is also available.
Contact at +358 9 276 62899(Link starts a phone call) .
Miehen Linja(Link leads to external service)
Suvantolinja
A free helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly, as well as their loved ones.
Contact at 0800 06776(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Counselling Unit
Individual, couple, and family meetings from Pääkaupungin Turvakoti ry for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children, and loved ones.
Contact the Domestic Violence Counselling Unit at +358 50 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Counselling 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 Shelters(Link leads to external service)
Nettiturvakoti (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Lyömätön Linja
Support from Miessakit ry for men who use or fear using mental or physical violence against their loved ones.
Contact Lyömätön Linja at +358 44 751 1334(Link starts a phone call) .
Lyömätön Linja(Link leads to external service)
Miehen Linja
Lyömätön Linja in Espoo offers support for men with an immigrant background who use or fear using mental or physical violence against their loved ones.
Service languages: Finnish, English, French, and Greek. Interpreting assistance is also available.
Contact at +358 9 276 62899(Link starts a phone call) .
Miehen Linja(Link leads to external service)
Avoin Linja phone and chat
Maria Academy offers support for women who use or fear using violence, as well as professionals who encounter various forms of violence and related issues in their work or work communities.
Anonymous contact is also available.
Contact Avoin Linja at +358 9 756 222 60(Link starts a phone call) .
Naisen väkivalta(Link leads to external service)
Välitä! Sexual violence work
Setlementti Tampere ry offers support for individuals aged 17 and over who have experienced sexual violence, those who have committed it, and their loved ones.
Contact Välitä! at +358 45 279 8090(Link starts a phone call) .
Välitä!(Link leads to external service)
Suvantolinja
A free helpline for all parties involved in violence against the elderly, as well as their loved ones.
Contact at 0800 06776(Link starts a phone call) .
Suvantolinja(Link leads to external service)
Family counselling from the parishes of Helsinki
Professional help for relationship issues and life crises.
Contact at +358 9 2340 2555(Link starts a phone call) .
Help around the clock
Nollalinja
Nollalinja is a nationwide, anonymous, and free helpline service for those who have experienced domestic violence and violence against women, as well as their loved ones and professionals.
You can call the service anonymously—there is no need to provide your name, and the operator will not see the caller’s number. The call will not appear on your phone bill.
Up-to-date chat opening hours can be found on the website.
Nollalinja serves in Finnish, Swedish, and English, with an interpreting service available in Arabic, Dari, Spanish, Farsi, Somali, Sorani, Thai, Ukrainian, and Russian. The interpreting service is available 24/7.
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 helpline is available in Finnish, Swedish, and English.
MIELI Mental Health Finland's Crisis Helpline can be reached at +358 9 2525 0111(Link starts a phone call) (Finnish) and +358 9 2525 0116(Link starts a phone call) (English).
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 Centre of the Women's Hospital provides support for individuals aged 16 and over who have experienced sexual violence, regardless of gender.
It is a low-threshold service that can be accessed independently, with the support of relatives, or under the guidance of authorities, for incidents that occurred within the last month.
The helpline is available around the clock, including weekends.
Contact the Seri Support Centre at +358 40 701 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 facility maintained by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare in Helsinki, offering protection and assistance to those who have experienced or are threatened by violence.
The shelter provides support in ending the cycle of violence.
Contact the Sophie Mannerheim Shelter at +358 40 060 0107(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 these shelters, individuals who have experienced violence can receive one-on-one support from workers specialising in violence-related issues.
Post-shelter support is available through the Kilpola Housing Unit’s supported housing service.
- Contact Shelter Hertta by phone, tel. +358 9 4777 180(Link starts a phone call) .
- Contact Shelter Tilkka by phone, tel. +358 50 565 0636(Link starts a phone call) .
- Contact Shelter Pellas by phone, tel. +358 40 457 3840(Link starts a phone call) .
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry(Link leads to external service)
Youth shelters ∣ Finnish Red Cross
Youth shelters offer crisis accommodation and support for young people aged 12–29, young adults, and their loved ones.
The service provides assistance with everyday challenges, family conflicts, and other issues. Help is available quickly and free of charge.
You can contact the youth shelters by phone, WhatsApp, or email, with responses provided 24/7 on weekdays.
Crisis accommodation is available every day from 17.00–10.00.
Contact the youth shelter at +358 9 622 4322(Link starts a phone call) .
Youth shelters(Link leads to external service)
Shelter Mona
Monika Women's Shelter Mona offers crisis support and safe accommodation in Finland's only shelter for women and children, located at a secret address.
If it is unsafe to stay at home or in your immediate community due to violence, you can call and seek shelter from anywhere in Finland. The services are free of charge.
Service languages include Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dari, English, Spanish, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Swedish, Somali, Finnish, Turkish, and Russian. Interpreting assistance is also available.
Contact Shelter Mona at +358 45 6396 274(Link starts a phone call) (24/7).
Shelter Mona(Link leads to external service)
Peer support
Tyttöjen talo
Loisto Setlementti ry offers support and activities for girls and women aged 10–28, with a focus on gender diversity and the right to self-determination.
The aim is to strengthen the inclusion of young people in both the community and society.
Tyttöjen talo (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Poikien talo
Loisto Setlementti ry offers support and activities for boys, men, and those considering their gender identity, aged 10–28.
Poikien talo (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
The Domestic Violence Counselling Unit
Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry offers individual, couple, and family counselling for victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, their children, and loved ones.
Contact the Domestic Violence Counselling Unit at +358 50 301 0748(Link starts a phone call) .
The Domestic Violence Counselling Unit(Link leads to external service)
SafetyNet Helsinki
The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare offers 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 at +358 40 645 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 control their 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 .