Easter holidays are a challenging time for the police when it comes to domestic disturbance calls, domestic violence and violence in close relationships.
“Having to stay at home, having nothing to do and drinking too much alcohol are a poor combination. People also worry about financial uncertainty, falling ill themselves or family and friends falling ill. These factors can cause arguments and lead to violence in close relationships,” says Chief Superintendent Pekka Heikkinen from the National Police Board.
Tensions may also build up due to people having stocked up on alcohol as restaurants and bars have closed their doors. Trips to the cottage, holidays abroad or skiing trips to Lapland planned for Easter might have been cancelled.
Now the focus should be on celebrating Easter in a peaceful manner. Pekka Heikkinen hopes that people would take maintaining peace and harmony seriously.
“Adults should think about ways to celebrate Easter in a way that prevents any problems in advance. We should try to focus on spending time together in harmony. Now, if ever, responsible parenthood is needed,” Heikkinen says.
Stay at home while staying in touch with family and friends online
In order to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus, the police also urge people to avoid visiting relatives and trips to the cottage. While travelling to and from Uusimaa is forbidden, recreational travel should be avoided throughout Finland.
“We should take the request to stay at home seriously. Stay in touch with your family and friends online, make a video call or arrange an online meeting,” says Heikkinen.
Seek help on time
If things get out of hand at home, help is available.
“If you are worried about domestic violence or if there is a history of domestic violence in your family, speak up, go to a shelter, call a helpline or join a live chat. Shelters remain open, the live chat of the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters is running extended hours, the Nollalinja helpline operates 24/7, and both Victim Support Finland and the Women’s Line are taking calls. If the situation is urgent, call 112,” Heikkinen says.
You should not be ashamed of needing help. Contact support services already when you start feeling anxious.
The number of domestic disturbance calls has increased
The number of domestic disturbance calls has increased in recent months.
In early 2020 (January-March), there was a slight increase in domestic disturbance calls compared to the corresponding period last year.
In January-March 2019, the number of domestic disturbance calls totalled 17,202, while this year the number has exceeded 20,000. The largest increase is seen in assignments related to noise and disorderly conduct.
In March 2020, there were over 2,000 police assignments related to domestic violence.
Almost without exception, alcohol is involved in these cases.
