Guidelines for prevention of misuse and treatment
In autumn 2021, Finnish Caritas has updated the guidelines, which aim to prevent sexual abuse of children. At the same time, the instructions on how to apply for treatment in case of cases of abuse have been updated.
Caritas Finland follows the anti-harassment guidelines of its global umbrella organization Caritas Internationalis. According to them, everyone at Caritas around the world is committed to creating a professional work environment free of intimidation, hostility, humiliation, bullying, violence or other crimes that can interfere with work performance or individual dignity.
Harassment of any kind – verbal, physical, visual – will not be tolerated. Unwanted harassment includes harassment based on race, color, religion, philosophical or political ideologies, sex, age, national origin or descent, disability, disease, marital status, or other protected matters defined by law.
Harassment of colleagues, co-workers and people we work with is all equally prohibited.
Read more about preventing abuse on the Caritas Internationalis website.
Caritas Finland is committed to maintaining the good governance standards of Caritas Internationalis and encourages its partners and service providers to commit to the same standards.
Caritas Finland has decided to protect the safety and dignity of every person, whether they are employees, volunteers or supporters. Caritas does not accept harassment and exploitation. Every child and adult who comes to us has the right to be received in a safe environment. Caritas partners are prohibited from child abuse, human trafficking and sexual exploitation and abuse and must implement procedures to prevent, address and respond to such issues.
Caritas Finland follows the same procedural path as the Catholic Church in Finland. The church has guidelines for preventing and treating sexual abuse of children. These pages contain additional information about the guidelines of the Catholic Diocese of Helsinki. Suspected abuse is requested to be reported immediately to the Curate of the Diocese of Helsinki, as well as to the police of all suspected crimes.
Suspected misuse is handled by a separate committee appointed by the Bishop of Helsinki.
Suomen Caritas received a Safeguarding or personal security certificate in April 2023. The certificate is in pdf format below this text:
Henkilöturvatodistus / Personal security certificate (in Finnish) (pdf)
Access to treatment for victims of abuse
Suomen Caritas recommends that victims of abuse seek treatment at the following places:
- Seri-tukikeskus offers support through healthcare to victims of sexual abuse who are over 16 years old. Address Haartmaninkatu 2, K-stair, 1st floor, Helsinki. Open 24 hours a day.
- Raiskaus kriisikeskus Tukinainen provides psychological and legislative support in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Crisis line +358 800 97899 Mon-Thurs from 9 am to 3 pm, on weekends and holidays and their eves from 3 pm to 9 pm. Not on Fridays.
Legal emergency +358 800 97895 Mon-Thurs 11am-4pm E-mail office@tukinainen.fi