Are you a victim or perpetrator of violence or both?

Violence – in particular, domestic violence against women – is a serious problem in Finland.  

What comes to mind when you think of violence or domestic violence? Most people probably think of hitting. The image often involves not only hitting, but also a fist and a black eye, or a knife, so that a single blow can lead to homicide. But what do you think causes violence? Have you ever given a thought to what underlies violence? Quite a few people seem to think that alcohol is the biggest contributing factor in the overall picture of violence in Finland.  

In Finnish society, violence is mainly thought of as physical violence, when it results in visible injuries. Violent acts are often physical in nature, but they can also be mental. Violence can take the form of denial or neglect of basic needs or constant name-calling and disparagement or intimidation and coercion. Mental violence is often related to domestic violence and studies show that violent relationships usually involve more than one form of violence. 

Other forms of violence include sexual violence, financial abuse, cultural or religious violence, honour-related violence, stalking, abuse, bullying, digital violence and dating violence. 

In 2021, there were 10,900 victims of violence that came to the attention of the authorities (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL 2023, p. 3). However, domestic violence is a largely hidden offence, and only a fraction of those who have experienced domestic violence have contacted a doctor, police or other services, or have otherwise reported it. Violence in close relationships is most often violence that takes place in current or former relationships, most often against women. 

34% of women and 18% of men have experienced physical violence or threats of physical violence in a relationship during their lifetime. In addition, 49% of women and 42% of men have experienced mental violence and 11% of women and 2% of men have experienced sexual violence in a relationship (Prime Minister's Office 2023, p. 18). 34% of women and 18% of men have experienced physical violence, intimidation or sexual violence from a current or former partner (Statistics Finland 2023, p. 17). 

It is worth noting that far more women and men have experienced mental violence than physical violence. However, police investigations have rarely investigated mental violence. In general, mental violence is less well recognised by the authorities than physical violence, although many experts believe that mental violence is at least as harmful to the victim as other types of violence.

Violence should be seen as a broader issue, especially since physical violence can also include other forms of violence, which must be taken into account when dealing with a criminal matter in a police investigation. Investigation of physical violence must always take into account whether the act of violence was preceded or motivated by mental violence or some other form of violence or a combination of several forms of violence, without or in addition to physical violence. 

Besides the authorities, various organisations do valuable work to combat violence and to help victims of violence. On top of this, work is done with perpetrators of violence to help them break out of the cycle of violence. In this context, we often talk about transgenerational violence, which can mean the experience and witnessing of violence as a child, which then becomes a learned and adopted behaviour pattern when facing adversities in life. A particularly valuable and under-recognised service is available to those who are afraid they will hit someone. That is, they have not yet hit, but they are afraid they will. 

I urge you, if you are about to deal someone a blow, to put down your weapon, put your fist in your pocket and humble yourself in the face of your problem and seek the help that is available to you. At the same time, think about why you felt like hitting someone, and if it turns out to be because you are the victim of repeated mental violence, report it to the police while seeking help. No-one should have to put up with constant criticism, repeated disparagement or any other form of abuse. At the same time, we need to understand that violence never promotes or improves anything. 

A new classification - mental violence - will be added to the police crime reporting system in 2025: Other related updates will also be made and will become separate guidance for the police. 

Pekka Heikkinen 
Chief Superintendent 
National Police Board  

Sources 

• THL statistical report 43/2023, Domestic violence 2021. 29.6.2023. [in Finnish only].
• Shemeikka, R., Ramadan, F., Alitalo, E., Sihvonen, A., Lindroos, M., Laine, E., Kemppainen, J., Kommeri, H., Pietilä, P. & Salakka, I. 2023. Mediation in close relationship violence: General characteristics and the parties’ experiences with the process. Publications of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities 2023:11. Prime Minister’s Office. Helsinki.
• Attila, H., Keski-Petäjä, M., Pietiläinen, M., Lipasti, L., Saari, J. & Haapakangas, K. 2023. Gender-based violence and close relationship violence in Finland 2021— Final report. Statistics Finland. Helsinki. [in Finnish only]