THL for review system for domestic murder to check deaths in Finland

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has proposed to establish a statutory national domestic homicide review mechanism in Finland aiming to help prevent future homicides, said the THL in a press release .

The mechanism would make it possible to learn from deaths that have already occurred, identify shortcomings in service and public authority systems, and prevent further deaths.

Over the past ten years, a total of 288 adults and children have been killed in domestic homicides in Finland. These deaths are often preceded by prolonged serious violence, and gaps in the service system and shortcomings in professional competence have been identified in the cases.

According to a new THL publication, information on domestic homicides that have already occurred should be collected systematically to help prevent future homicides.

“The review mechanism would examine the chains of events preceding serious violence. It would also determine whether signs of violence and the risk of escalation had been identified, or could have been identified, for example in health and social services, by the police or judicial authorities, or by civil society organisations. Problems relating to information exchange and cooperation between different parties would also be assessed,” said THL Development Manager Jenni Raitanen.

THL proposed that the establishment of a domestic homicide review mechanism be included in the next government programme. The mechanism would be national and statutory. Establishing it would require legislation, sufficient rights of access to information, and permanent funding.

Based on the cases it reviewed, the mechanism would issue recommendations for preventing domestic violence and monitor their implementation. It would also strengthen the national information base for violence prevention and support prevention work carried out in the wellbeing services counties.

“A similar domestic homicide review mechanism is already in use in Sweden and Norway, and preparations are under way to introduce one in Denmark. According to international research, review work strengthens the service system for people who have experienced domestic violence and supports the development of professionals’ competence,” said THL Senior Researcher Johanna Hietamäki.

The publication presented two possible operating models. Under the comprehensive model, all domestic homicides involving adults and children in Finland would be reviewed, together with selected serious near-miss incidents. The estimated annual cost of the model is approximately EUR 1–1.5 million. Under the targeted model, a sample of domestic homicides occurring during the year would be reviewed. Its estimated annual cost would be approximately EUR 600,000–800,000.

Domestic violence already imposes substantial costs on society. Physical intimate partner violence against women alone is estimated to generate approximately EUR 150 million in additional healthcare costs in Finland each year. THL’s illustrative calculations indicated that, in addition to the human suffering involved, the direct costs of a single domestic homicide may amount to several million euros.

The Directions publication will be presented on Wednesday at the seminar entitled “Ending deaths among women: Solutions for preventing serious violence” at Finlandia Hall.

Organised by the Council for Gender Equality and THL, the seminar will be opened by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.