Finland’s Budget Cuts Deepen Violence Crisis for Women
By Anni Rissanen. Read: 2 min 25 s
More than half of Finnish women have faced violence. How will government cuts to social services impact those most at risk?
Finland’s reputation as the “happiest country in the world” contrasts sharply with its troubling status as the EU’s second most dangerous country for women. Data from Eurostat shows that more than half of Finnish women have experienced physical or sexual violence, or threats. In 2023, 12.300 cases of intimate relationship and domestic violence were reported to the police, which was an increase of 5.3% from the year before. This indicates that the violence is on the rise.
What’s fueling this rise, and how will the government’s decisions impact those most in need of support?
A Growing Crisis
According to Statistics Finland, women make up 74% of victims of domestic violence, whereas males make up 75% of perpetrators. Alarmingly, spousal violence cases have increased by 10.7% since 2022, putting women most at risk in their own homes. These numbers show a troubling trend, with organizations having difficulty providing support to the victims.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government plans intend to cut €100 million from the social and healthcare sector, including vital funding for third-sector organizations that support survivors, despite the urgent need for intervention.
Cuts to Lifeline Services
Stress is already being placed on organizations such as Mieli Mental Health Finland, which runs a nationwide crisis hotline. “The fact that state-funded organizations in Finland handle the majority of the work to prevent violence worries me a lot. In the upcoming years, this funding will be reduced”, stated Kristian Wahlbeck, senior adviser at Mieli. Despite an increase in calls, Mieli’s hotline currently only responds to 20% of inquiries, down from 30% previously. The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters alerts that the crisis may worsen if planned cuts deprive 2.500 people of critical help.
Additionally, external assistance is essential, according to Teemu Vauhkonen, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). “Seeking help during a crisis enables attention to be directed towards ending the cycle of violence. Instead of only stopping the violence, this can greatly enhance the relationship overall”, he said.
Political Controversy and Public Backlash
This year in March, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo defended the policies of his government in the European Parliament, in the face of harsh criticism of his alliance with the far-right Finns Party. Critics contend that although corporations and high-income earners benefit from government cuts, women, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic abuse, are disproportionately affected. Despite Orpo’s insistence that his government is still dedicated to democracy and equality, groups on the front lines present a different picture.
What’s Next for the Women in Finland?
There are still concerns about whether the government of Finland will intervene to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens or let the situation worsen as money for critical services decreases and violence against women increases. Since women are increasingly in danger and without proper support, Finland’s progressive reputation is now under jeopardy.
