VICTIM SUPPORT FINLAND

Have you become a victim of crime or crime attempt? Or have you become a witness of crime?

Victim Support Finland offers practical advice and support to victims of crime. We also work to improve the social status of crime victims by influencing general attitudes and legislation.

Request for contact

If you would like that we in Victim Support will contact you, please fill the Request form for contact.  Your contact details will be submitted to Victim Support's service point nearest to you. 

 Link to the Request form.   (yhteydenottopyyntölomake)

Ulrik Project

Ulrik is Victim Support's developmental project 2007-2011 aiming to improve services targeted to crime victims with a foreign background.

Download leaflets

Escape plan for victims of domestic violence (turvallisuussuunnitelma)

Frequently Asked Questions

Support and advice for victims of crime

Victim Support Finland (VS)
VS guides and supports crime victims, their close ones and witnesses of crime. Services are mainly based on voluntary work. The volunteers are carefully selected and professionally guided.

All our services are strictly confidential. VS service approach is client-based in all cases, meaning that the client decides on what action to take. All VS services are free of charge (expect local telephone costs.)

VS is run in co-operation by: The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, The Finnish Association for Mental Health, Mannerheim League of Child Welfare, The Finnish Red Cross, Finnish Federation of Settlements, The Feminist Association Union and Church council.

Resources
Central office, seven regional offices, 26 local service points, 20 persons as paid staff and about 300 trained volunteers. Activities are funded mainly by Finland´s Slot Machine Association (RAY) and the state.

VS is for you if

• you are a victim of crime
• you suspect that you are a victim of crime
• someone close to you has been a victim of crime
• you have witnessed a crime
• you want to talk about your crime experience

You may call, make an appointment or seek advice through the Internet from us. We provide personal support when necessary. You can contact us anonymously.

Services

FINNISH HELP LINE 0203 16116
Nationwide help-line is on call in Finnish Mon-Tue 13-21 and Wed-Fri 17-21. Provides counselling and support (mostly in Finnish).

LEGAL ADVICE 0203 16117
Lawyers are on call Mon-Thu 17-19. Provides legal assistance and offers guidance in questions related individual’s legal rights (mostly in Finnish).

WWW.RIKUNET.FI
Rikunet is a confidential and information secure Internet Service provider where you can present questions anonymously also in english.

SUPPORT PERSONS
Crime victims, their close ones and witnesses may obtain a support person provided by VS when necessary. The support person can accompany you when attending police hearings or court sessions and assist you in applying for restraining order or compensation. With support person you may discuss about your experiences and consider further actions. Support persons are carefully chosen and trained volunteers.

 Victim Support Europe

VSE(Victim Support Europe)                                                                                               Manifesto for Europe 2009