HELP FOR YOU
Does silence hurt?
Are you a boy or young man aged 13-29 who fears violence or is in an abusive relationship? It can be hard to recognise signs of violence when you don’t have much experience about dating and relationships. Talking about your own feelings and needs can also be challenging if you don’t understand why being together feels difficult. Dating violence is common. According to recent studies and reports (Tampere University and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters), nearly every second young person experiences dating violence in their relationships.
Alongside girls and women, boys are also victims of violence. Dating violence can take many forms, such as uncontrollable arguments, name-calling, pushing, tracking your whereabouts, constant messaging, or jealousy. In abusive relationships, insults or physical violence often becomes a normal part of everyday life.
Violence is isolating and many people are ashamed of it. It is very common to feel like you’re the only person who’s being abused. Boys and young men face violence daily. You are not alone with your experiences of abuse. It is important to know that violence is never the victim’s fault and it doesn’t make them weak or weird. Many young people find it hard to talk about dating violence and don’t know who to turn to, if they want help. Silence is almost as hurtful as violence. Therefore it is important not to manage things on your own but to have the courage to seek help. If you are having trouble in your relationship, contact us. We can discuss your situation confidentially and think about possible solutions together.
Helpline
You can contact our helpline or chat anonymously. Our helpline number is 050-380 6755. It is open on Mondays from 1 to 3 pm and Thursdays from 3 to 5 pm.
Chat
Our chat will open on Tuesday 7th January 2025. You can talk to our workers online or face to face. The mentoring meetings are free of charge.
Individual mentoring
You can talk to our workers online or face to face. The mentoring meetings are free of charge. You can contact our workers here.
You can also get help from the following organisations:
- School counselors or psychologists and health professionals
- Youth outpatient mental health services
- Adult mental health services
- Nyyti (student mental health organisation): The Miehentila project offers free support for the mental health and well-being of 18-29-year-old male students. You can sign up for support groups at https://www.nyyti.fi/hankkeet/miehentila/miehentila-vertaisryhma/
- Miessakit (men’s organisation): Miessakit provides free support for men who have experienced emotional or physical violence. Their helpline is available at 044-751 1340 from Monday to Wednesday, 9 am-12 pm. You can also send an email to vakivaltaa.kokeneet.miehet@miessakit.fi
- Non-Fighting Generation: NFG provides individual and group mentoring for violently behaving children and young people aged 8 to 23. If you need help, Keep cool team offers support for violently behaving boys aged 11 to 24. If you need help, call 02 07 55 83 63 from Monday to Wednesday between 9 am and 12 or send an email to nfg@nfg.fi.
- Tukinainen (National support centre for sexual assault victims): Free crisis support for victims of sexual violence or abuse regardless of their gender is available at 0800-97899 from Monday to Thursday between 9 am and 3 pm and during holidays between 3 pm and 8 pm.
- Victim Support Finland (Riku): Free and confidential helpline and chat for crime victims, their family and friends as well witnesses. You can contact the helpline at 116 006 or RIKUchat https://www.riku.fi/palvelut/rikuchat-palvelu-verkossa/. Both services are available from Mondays to Thursdays between 9 am and 6 pm and on Fridays between 9 am and 4 pm. For more information, visit https://www.riku.fi/palvelut.
- Nollalinja (national helpline for female victims’ of domestic violence): 080 005 005 free helpline is open 24/7 every day of the year.
- Hae apua.info (get help info): The website offers information for people facing difficulties or violence in 11 different languages at https://www.haeapua.info
- Seri Support Centers for sexual assault victims: There are 25 centers across Finland, which provide support for sexual crime victims aged 16 and upwards regardless of their gender. You can contact a Seri Support Center either immediately after the assault or up to a month after the event. If you are younger than 16, you can inquire centres, which also provide help for younger clients. You can find the contact details of all the centres from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) website https://thl.fi/aiheet/apua-ja-palveluja/seri-tukikeskus-seksuaalivakivallan-uhreille
- The federation of mother and child homes and shelters Nettiturvakoti (online service): Nettiturvakoti is an online service. which helps all parties of domestic violence by providing information, counselling and help. For more information, visit their site at https://nettiturvakoti.fi
- The federation of mother and child homes and shelters OnksOK (IsitOK): OnksOk provides help if there are arguments or violence at your home. The chat is open from Mondays to Fridays between 3 pm and 9 pm and on Saturdays between 12 am and 4 pm. You can also contact a worker and talk confidentially about your situation. The The chat link and staff contact information are available at https://ensijaturvakotienliitto.fi/nuortensivu/apua/
- Red Cross Nettiturvis (online service for young people): A national online service offering professional help for 12-29-year-olds. For more information, visit https://www.punainenristi.fi/nettiturvis
- Red Cross Youth Shelters: Youth centres provide free help for young people aged 12 to 29. The services include free counseling with professionals and short-term accommodation, if you temporarily need a safe space to sleep. There are five shelters in Finland and online help is available, if there is no shelter in your area. For more information, visit nuortenturvatalo.fi
- Red Cross online service: provides free help nationally and is available daily. For more information, visit punainenristi.fi/nettiturvis.
- Helsinki shelter: Phone 09 622 4322, WhatsApp +358 40 173 4149, email turvatalo.helsinki@punainenristi.fi
- Western Uusimaa shelter (Espoo): Phone 050-3390619, email turvatalo.espoo@punainenristi.fi
- Vantaa-Kerava region shelter:Phone 050-339 5413, WhatsApp +358 50 339 5413, email turvatalo.vantaa@punainenristi.fi
- Tampere region shelter (Tampere):Phone 040-556 6661, WhatsApp +358 40 556 6661, email turvatalo.tampere@punainenristi.fi
- Southwest Finland region shelter (Turku): Phone 02 253 9667, WhatsApp +358 40 660 8048, email turvatalo.turku@punainenristi.fi
- Setlementti Tampere violence work (väkivaltatyö): Setlementti offers free and confidential support and counseling for people who have experienced violence. You can contact the workers by phone at 040-520 8255 or send an email to pvk@setlementtitampere.fi
- Setlementti Tampere Tyttöjen talo (Girls’ house for girls, women and those who identify themselves as female and are aged 12 to 29):Girls’ house offers free activities, sexual counselling as well as support for victims of sexual violence for girls, women and those who identify themselves as female. Setlementti organises both open and closed peer groups and provides individual counseling. For more information, visit https://setlementtitampere.fi/osallistu-toimintaamme/setlementtitalot/osallistu-toimintaamme-setlementtitalot-tampereen-tyttojen-talo/
- The Mannerheim League for child welfare Turvaverkko: Safetynet-service provides outreach help in Helsinki for people of all ages who either experience abuse or are in danger of domestic violence. You can call the office at 040-645 3622, , leave a message or send an email to turvaverkko.helsinki@mll.fi
- Ehyt ry (The Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention): 0800 900 45 free helpline is open 24/7 every day of the year and provides substance abuse guidance.
