VICTIM SUPPORT FINLAND

(former name: Finnish Service for Crime Victims)

Victim Support Finland from 1994 - Background

Every year, approximately some 50 000 crimes are reported to the police in which the victim might benefit from outside help. Most victims survive the experience with the help of their own social network, but some require help from outside.

For many years now, several European countries have provided services for victims of crime. In Finland, planning for this kind of service began in 1993. Our service began operating in 1994 as a cooperated project funded by Slot Machine Association, implemented by the the Federation of Mother and Child Homes , and Shelters, the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, the Finnish Association for Mental Healththe Finnish Red Cross, the National Ecclesiastical Board/Division of Diaconia and Society, the Finnish Federation of Settlements and the Unioni Central Association of the Women's Movement in Finland. The service has been funded by the Slot Machine Association as well as by the Ministry of the Interiorand the Ministry of Justice. Victim Support Finland is coordinated by the Finnish Federation of Settlements.

The functions, purpose and objectives of the crime victim help service

Victim Support Finland offers practical advice and psychological support to victims of crimes or attempted crimes and those closest to them and witnesses of crime. The helpers are mainly trained volunteers, and the service is managed by regional / local coordinators with an expert training in human relations. The objective is to improve the social status of crime victims by influencing general attitudes and legislation.

Regional service

The regional offices coordinate the work of local service-points, organize for example training and supervision for support volunteers. More details are available from the regional offices and service-points. There are eight regional offices and 23 local service-points in Finland.

Support volunteers

VS Service-points have trained support volunteers who help crime victims personally. A support volunteer may just listen to victims or discuss the experience with them or a support volunteer may as well assist in reporting a crime, in drawing up an application for restraining order, in court proceedings or in drawing up indemnity claims. The aim is to extend the support system to as many localities as possible.

Group activities

The crime victim help service organizes some 'self-help groups' for crime victims where needed. These groups are always led by a professional. The target groups might be victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Group activities are being developed as far as demand and resources allow.

Staff

Victim Support Finland has all together 20 persons as paid staff and nearly 400 volunteers.

Direction

The service is directed by a managing director supervised by a working commitee and management; members of which come from the implemented organisations.

Contact information

Läntinen Brahenkatu 2, 4 floor
00150 Hesinki, Finland
Petra.Kjallman@riku.fi