A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) is carrying out its second evaluation visit to Finland from 15 to 19 January 2024, focussing on the theme “Building trust by delivering support, protection and justice.” This visit is one of the steps in the 1st thematic evaluation round to monitor the implementation by Finland of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The 1st thematic evaluation round aims to address how national laws and policies in  parties build trust, deliver support, and provide access to justice for women victims of violence, based on the questionnaire adopted by GREVIO on 13 October 2022. The visit will enable the delegation to obtain more in-depth information on the implementation of select provisions in the areas of prevention, protection, prosecution and co-ordinated policies, where the baseline evaluation report on Finland and the conclusions on the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention have revealed challenges and the need to take additional measures.

During the visit, the GREVIO delegation is meeting with representatives from different ministries and public bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Interior and law enforcement representatives, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economy and Employment. In addition, the GREVIO delegation is meeting with representatives of non-governmental organisations, civil society and independent bodies working in the area of violence against women.

GREVIO plans to publish its evaluation report during 2024.