Here you can find answers and instructions to the most frequently asked questions about shelters.
If you are coming to a shelter or thinking about it
The situation with my partner is getting worse, and I am afraid that soon I will be unable to cope anymore. Can I go to a shelter
- Shelters are meant for everyone who experiences violence or a threat of violence in their family or in close relationships. Nollalinja offers information about the shelter closest to you.
I have to bring my pet with me, can I do that?
- All shelters are able to help with arranging a place to care for the pet. There are also shelters where you can come with a pet. Nollalinja provides information on pet care arrangements and shelters where you can bring a pet.
Do I need to pay for the shelter, and do I need a referral?
- Staying in a shelter does not cost you or your family anything. You do not need a referral or payment commitment to come to a shelter.
Who are shelters for?
- Shelters are meant for everyone who experiences violence or a threat of violence in their family or in close relationships. Everyone can go to a shelter, regardless of their age, gender or other characteristics. Shelters respect everyone’s right to self-determination related to gender, sexual orientation and family and close relationships. If you are wondering whether a shelter is a suitable service for you, you can call the shelter and discuss your situation with a shelter employee. You can find the shelters’ contact information here.
Can an underage person come to a shelter alone?
- Underage persons may also come to a shelter without their parents. In this case, the shelter will submit a child welfare notification, and the shelter staff and a child welfare social worker will discuss if the young person can stay in the shelter.
What is a shelter like?
- A shelter is a home-like place where you can get protection from violence and help for putting a stop to the violence. The facilities are designed to be safe. You will have a room of your own. You will also receive meals and other things you need, such as bedlinen and necessary hygiene products. Trained staff is present at the shelter around the clock. Watch a video about shelters.
Can I come to a shelter anonymously?
- Yes, an adult can also receive help from a shelter anonymously, if they so wish. Situations involving violence are often such that you may need other services, in addition to the shelter. You may need to share your identity to access these services. Children cannot stay in a shelter anonymously, as shelter employees have statutory reporting obligations for certain authorities. All children in a shelter must be reported to the social welfare authority.
I don’t speak Finnish very well, can I come to a shelter?
- Yes. The staff at the shelter also speaks Swedish and English, and interpretation is always provided if necessary. In addition, other means of communication can be used.
I am hearing impaired, how can I contact a shelter?
- If possible, send a text message to the shelter, and an interpretation service will be reserved for you when you arrive at the shelter.
I use a wheelchair. Are shelters accessible?
- All shelters have accessible rooms. You can find a shelter’s accessibility information on its website. You can ask for more detailed information by calling the shelter. If you are unable to get to the shelter independently, call the shelter and ask them about different options. A disability or physical limitation does not prevent you from getting help. If you have a personal assistant, the assistant may accompany you at the shelter, if you wish. You can also bring your assistance or guidance dog with you to support you in the shelter.
I don’t have a car or money for a taxi, how do I get to a shelter?
- If your life is in danger, always call the emergency number 112. Many shelters are located within good public transport connections. By calling the shelter, you can get more information on different arrival options by phone. The contact information for every shelter in Finland is available at: Contact information of shelters
I have a substance abuse problem – can I come to a shelter?
- No single issue, such as a substance abuse problem or being in substitution treatment, is an obstacle to accessing shelter services on its own. The start of a client relationship with a shelter is always discussed between the client and a professional. Half of the shelter clients are children, and children must also feel safe in the shelter premises. Using substances is not allowed in the shelter premises. Please call the shelter and discuss your situation with a professional.
Where can I find the contact information of shelters?
- You can also contact Nollalinja via phone or chat to learn about the shelter closest to you. You can also call the shelter directly. The contact information for every shelter in Finland are available at here.
My home municipality does not have a shelter. Which shelter can I go to?
- You can go to any shelter in Finland. In addition to a shelter, you may also need other local services. For this reason, it is often a good idea to seek a shelter near your wellbeing services county or home municipality. However, you can also go to a place farther away if you feel safer there. If you can leave for the shelter in peace, please call the shelter before you arrive. This way you can make sure that there is room in the shelter and you will get more detailed instructions for arriving.
I am visiting friends in Finland, but I do not live in Finland. I am in a foreign country and my partner is behaving violently. Can I come to a shelter?
- Yes, you can. The shelter services are open to everyone regardless of their nationality or residence status.
What should I bring to the shelter?
- If you can leave for the shelter in peace, please pack some clothes and important personal items, such as any medication you need, your identification document and your online banking codes. If you come to a shelter with your children, please pack the necessary items for them as well. These could include a bedtime toy, weather-appropriate clothing and the children’s medication.
How long do you stay in a shelter?
- The duration of a client’s shelter period varies by individual. Violence often causes a serious crisis and shock. The shelter gives you refuge from violence and assistance for putting a stop to the violence. You will receive crisis help, support and information about practical matters. In a shelter, you can safely consider your situation and make practical arrangements related to your future in collaboration with the shelter staff.
Now is not a good time to go to a shelter. Can I reserve a place in a shelter for next week, for example?
- There are always vacancies in the network of shelters across Finland, so you do not need to reserve a place. If it is important for you to access a specific shelter, please contact the shelter in question directly and discuss your situation with a professional.
Can I study and can children go to school and daycare during our stay in the shelter?
- Normal daily life may continue during the shelter period as long as it is safe to do so. You can go to work and study. If it is safe for children to attend school and daycare, your daily life can continue as before. There are no designated childminders in the shelter, which means that children are the responsibility of their parent staying in the shelter.
Will information about being a shelter client be shared with other authorities?
- Shelter employees have statutory reporting obligations for certain authorities. As a rule, an adult client decides personally whether to report the violence to the police or other authorities. In violent situations, the family’s children are also exposed to violence, in which case the shelter staff must report the child’s situation to child welfare services as required by the law. Shelter staff are also obliged to enter information relevant to the client relationship in the client data system. However, information is only shared to other authorities with the client’s consent or on the basis of a statutory obligation. You can ask to see the record entries on you and your dependent children at any time. Other guardians of a child also have statutory rights to the data of their dependent child, if sharing the data does not endanger the child or other persons or there is no other legal obstacle to disclosing the data. You can always call either Nollalinja or a shelter to discuss your situation and ask any questions you have in mind
Is there health care personnel in the shelter around the clock?
- All shelter employees are either social welfare or health care professionals, but shelters do not offer health care services. Please bring your own medications and prescriptions to the shelter. In an urgent situation, please seek medical services. The medical staff will also document any injuries caused by violence. Please explain to them who caused the injuries and when.
For a child’s other parent
Why is my child in a shelter even though they did not witness any violence?
- Children usually sense and hear more than their parents realise. Even if the violence does not target the child directly, a violent atmosphere causes fear and insecurity for the child. If violence or a violent atmosphere continues for a long time, it may expose the child to many illnesses and social problems. Shelter employees are professionals in approaching children who have been exposed to violence. They are able to help your child deal with the feelings and experiences caused by violence. The ‘Children in Shelters’ Quality Guidelines (in Finnish) provide information on how children are taken into account and assisted during the shelter period and how violence affects children.
My child’s other parent took the child to a shelter. When can I see my child?
- During the shelter period, a child may meet with their parent as agreed between the parents or as recorded in the agreement on the child’s right of custody and visitation. The shelter does not arrange meetings; instead, the child’s guardians agree on the meetings among themselves. Potential meetings are never organised in the shelter premises. Family law services can help a child’s parents to agree on meetings. Read more about family law services.
For professionals
How do I know who I can refer to the shelter services?
- The decision on a client relationship is always made by the shelter. Instruct your client to contact the shelter at a low threshold or contact the shelter on their behalf if you have their consent. You can also always call the shelter and ask for consultation, even anonymously. Shelter professionals are happy to present the shelter services to other professionals. Please contact the nearest shelter directly to arrange a cooperation meeting.
What happens in a shelter?
- Shelters provide refuge and assistance for anyone who has experienced domestic violence or the threat of violence. They provide professional support, advice and guidance for acute situations. In addition to crisis support, shelters also provide support and information for arranging practical matters during the shelter period. Read the national quality guidelines for shelters here. The ‘Children in Shelters’ Quality Guidelines (in Finnish) describe the working methods and practices of working with children in shelters.
What are the responsibilities of a shelter, and what are those of a wellbeing services county?
- Being in a shelter is always free of charge for the client, the client’s municipality of residence and the wellbeing services county. In Finland, the central government pays for shelter services in their entirety. In other words, no costs are incurred by the municipality or the wellbeing services county. Many people who have experienced domestic violence need other services in addition to and after the shelter services to help them exit and recover from domestic violence. These services include anti-violence community care services, for example. The perpetrators of violence also need services. Under the Social Welfare Act (1301/2014), wellbeing services counties must provide social services for the need for support arising from domestic and intimate partner violence and other forms of violence, abuse and negligence. Shelters work closely with the client’s existing network of authorities or bring together the necessary network to help the client. It is important to start multi-professional cooperation already during the shelter service to provide the necessary services to support the exit and recovery from violence.