According to a statement released by the Association of Emergency and Support Services, the number of individuals seeking assistance for domestic violence in Finland has reached alarming new heights. Last year, nearly 12,000 people utilized the services of organizations within the ETKL, marking a more than 60 percent increase in demand over the current decade. While this increase in the number of help-seekers does not necessarily indicate a rise in violence, it reflects significant changes in societal attitudes toward seeking support for such issues. In earlier years, fewer than 8,000 individuals per year sought help for domestic violence-related matters.

The director of development at ETKL, Tiina Muukkonen, highlighted that the barrier to seeking help has lowered, contributing to the increased numbers. A growing number of young people and adults are accessing services at earlier stages, indicating a shift in awareness and readiness to address these issues. There is a notable trend of increased reporting and seeking help, suggesting progress in breaking the stigma surrounding domestic violence.

In addition to the overall rise in domestic violence cases, the phenomenon of dating violence among young people has emerged as a new concern. Just a few years ago, the number of young individuals experiencing dating violence was markedly low in the support services. The profile of domestic violence victims has shifted, with many individuals now seeking assistance earlier than in the past, highlighting the need for greater awareness and preventive measures in targeted support for young victims of such violence.