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Shelter

The shelter and crisis phone-line are open 24/7. In an emergency, call 112.
044 901 9190

The shelter provides short-term, safe accommodation during an acute crises or situations related to family and domestic violence.

One may seek refuge at the shelter alone or together with children regardless of municipality of residence.

Shelters services are free of charge and available to all who have experienced domestic violence or the threat of it. Our services are available to everyone—including those of for example diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The duration of a stay is determined on an individual basis and agreed upon in collaboration with the staff. 

To ensure effective and structured support, clients are encouraged to commit to a minimum stay of one week — however, clients may end their stay at any time should they choose to do so.

The shelter’s crisis phoneline operates 24/7. Our staff provides guidance and support around the clock for questions related to family and domestic violence.

Shelter Services
  • Immediate crisis assistance
  • Round‑the‑clock secure accommodation
  • Psychosocial support, counselling, and service guidance
  • Assistance with arranging practical matters
  • Multi-professional collaboration with other service providers
  • Support in accessing necessary services also after the shelter stay
  • The Ostrobothnia Shelter has six places for clients/families. Each client or family is provided with a private room.
Identifying family and intimate partner violence
  • Intimate partner and family violence refers to violence in which the perpetrator and the victim are, or have been, in a close relationship.
  • Such violence may be directed at a current or former partner, a child, a close relative, or another significant person in one’s life.
  • Violence can take many forms, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic, or spiritual abuse. You can read more about the different forms of violence here.
  • On the Nettiturvakoti website, you will find various tests and exercises related to intimate partner and family violence. You can, for example, assess whether there is violence in your relationship or whether you yourself are behaving violently.
Seeking refuge at a shelter
  • If it is safe to do so, please call first: 044 901 9190
  • You may bring items such as clothing, hygiene products, medications, identification documents, bank card and online banking credentials, keys, as well as your phone and charger.
  • If you are bringing children with you, pack the necessary items for them as well, such as a comfort toy, weather‑appropriate clothing, and medications.
  • You can come to the shelter either through a referral from another service provider or by contacting the shelter yourself.
  • If the shelter is full, you will be directed to the nearest available shelter.
  • During your stay, you may continue working, attending daycare, or going to school, depending on your situation.
  • Meals, essential hygiene products, bed linens, towels, and access to laundry facilities are included in the shelter services.
  • The shelter does not work with the perpetrator of violence. They can be referred, for example, to the open‑service violence intervention unit Avokki.
  • Pets cannot be brought to the Ostrobothnia Shelter. We do, however, have volunteers who can provide temporary foster care for your pet.
Accessibility information for the shelter

Parking and Entrance Access

  • There are marked parking spaces available in front of the building, on the Varastokatu side, and behind the building.
  • From the Varastokatu side, there is an accessible route to the entrance landing. The distance from the parking area to the landing is approximately 10 meters across a gravel surface.
  • Drop-off traffic may stop directly next to the entrance.
  • There is sufficient free space on the door’s opening side to allow the door to be opened safely.
  • At the Varastokatu entrance, there is an elevator providing access to both the shelter facilities and the open-service unit.
  • The external door does not open automatically. A doorbell located next to the entrance allows you to contact staff.

Shelter Facilities

  • The shelter’s facilities are located on one level, with unobstructed passageways throughout.
  • All shelter rooms are accessible. Two client rooms include a small kitchenette, toilet, and shower.
  • In the shared areas, there is a kitchen, a living room, two toilets, a shower, a sauna, and a children’s playroom.
  • One of the client room bathrooms cannot accommodate a wheelchair or a rollator.
  • The shelter’s main entrance/fire door does not open automatically.
  • Shelter staff are always available to assist clients with mobility impairments in moving around the facilities.
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