The latest case of a 31-year-old pregnant woman in Espoo being killed by intimate partner violence is a brutal reminder that the home – which should be a safe place – is often the most dangerous place for a woman in Finland. Every year, around 15 women in Finland are killed by their partners. Vice chair of SFP, MP Sandra Bergqvist is deeply concerned about violence against women.
Recent EU statistics show that Finland is the least safe member state for women. Nearly 60 per cent of women aged 15–74 have experienced either physical or sexual violence or the threat of it. The case from Espoo clearly shows that violence against women must be fought more decisively than we currently do. When a woman has asked for help and applied for a restraining order the system must work, and processing must be quick and effective.
“Undeniably these tragic events call into question whether we take violence against women as seriously as we should. Processes are too slow, bureaucratic and ineffective to protect the most vulnerable women,” says Bergqvist.
Proper legislation and sufficient resources are fine tools in the battle against violence, but a fundamental problem also lies in values. A study conducted by the Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations (NYTKIS), published last autumn, showed that younger men are more tolerant of violence against women. One quarter of respondents aged 18–34 agreed at least to some extent with the statement that “a woman may have brought violence upon herself due to her clothes, behaviour or looks.” At the same time, 90 per cent of respondents answered that violence is always wrong.
“The bleak statistics, the tragic cases we read about in the media, and the studies that indicate increased tolerance for violence all show that there are still great challenges in our attitudes and our culture,” Bergqvist says.
Bergqvist emphasises the fact that coordinated, concrete efforts are needed at a national level to prevent violence.
“My wish is that there will now be a focus on training important players to recognise and deal with violence against women. We also need significantly faster and better protections for the most vulnerable. The ministries of the Interior, Social Affairs and Health, and Justice play key roles in this,” Bergqvist mentions.
