Information for victims of terrorism

The purpose of this page is to promote the realisation of the rights of victims of terrorism under the EU Directive on combating terrorism ((EU) 2017/541). The page provides information for victims of terrorist attacks and their family members. You will find information on the assistance and support available, matters related to criminal proceedings and the possibilities to receive compensation. The page also contains information intended for people who have become victims of terrorism abroad.

A victim of terrorism is a person who has suffered a direct harm because of a terrorist offence. The harm may be a physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss. The family members of those killed in a terrorist attack are also considered victims of terrorism.

Assistance and support

Assistance and support are available for victims of terrorism immediately after the terrorist attack and later. A victim’s need for support may change with time. Not everyone needs or wants support, but it is important to be aware that support is available. Do not hesitate to ask for help. Various services provided by private organisations and associations and non-profit organisations supplement the public social welfare and healthcare services provided in wellbeing services counties.

Healthcare services

Health stations, hospitals and private healthcare providers provide immediate emergency medical care and an assessment of your need for treatment. Your need for treatment may be physical or psychological.

Always call the emergency number 112 in an emergency.  You can call the free medical helpline at 116 117 to ask for advice in urgent social or medical issues. The line is open 24 hours every day of the week. Calls to the medical helpline are answered by healthcare professionals who will assess whether you need emergency care. Wellbeing services counties have instructions on their websites for seeking emergency care in their area.

You may need healthcare services even after the acute stage, such as an appointment with a nurse or a physician or physical or mental rehabilitation. To find help, you can contact your nearest health station. The contact details of health stations are on the websites of wellbeing services counties. You can also use the Suomi.fi e-service to search for services. Private healthcare services, occupational healthcare services and student healthcare services also provide care.

Psychosocial support in crises

Those who experience an event like a terrorist attack are entitled to free psychosocial support services in their wellbeing services county. The services include the following:

• Taking care of a victim’s basic needs such as water, food, clothing and accommodation
• Helping the victim contact their family
• Providing immediate financial support such as help with returning home or buying a travel ticket

In crisis situations, the services may be provided in the following ways:

• If necessary, a crisis centre is set up in the early stages near the incident location. The location must be accessible and all victims and their loved ones, and everyone else needing support because of the incident can use the services of the centre. The victims’ needs for assistance and support are assessed at the crisis centre. From the crisis centre, victims are also referred to other support services whenever possible, such as healthcare services, the services of Victim Support Finland or longer-term crisis counselling services.
• A crisis helpline may be set up to provide counselling and to assess the extent of the assistance required and the number of people affected.
• If necessary, a contact point or number will be set up at the hospital from which the family members and close relations of victims can ask about their loved one’s situation.

In the event of a terrorist attack, information about the assistance available is posted on the website of the incident region or municipality and in the media. The aim is to provide assistance in the victim’s own language, with the help of interpreters if necessary. 

You can also contact the social and crisis emergency services of the incident location or your wellbeing services county, even after the acute stage. The contact details are on the relevant wellbeing services county’s website. The numbers of the emergency services are open around the clock, and the services are free.

Other help with processing a crisis

After a traumatic experience, it is normal for a person’s mind and body to react to what has happened. Some react more strongly than others. The incident may also cause fear and different reactions for bystanders.  It is important that you do not isolate yourself in a crisis. Talking about the experience and your thoughts may make you feel better.

Many associations and organisations provide counselling and other support for processing a crisis:

• The national crisis helpline provides counselling in Finnish around the clock at tel. +358 9 2525 0111. Counselling is also available in other languages at predetermined times. For more information, visit MIELI Mental Health Finland’s website.
• MIELI Mental Health Finland has crisis centres in several locations in Finland. For more information, visit MIELI Mental Health Finland’s website.
• The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland provides counselling via telephone, an ‘online letter’ or contact request form, and a chat service. For more information, visit the church’s counselling service webpage (page only in Finnish and Swedish).
• The Sekasin chat service provides support for young people between 12 and 29. For more information, visit the Sekasin website (site only in Finnish and Swedish).
• The Tukinet website provides counselling, peer support and information related to different kinds of crises. Tukinet also provides the Solmussa chat service for adults, and the opportunity for longer-term support services. For more information, visit the Tukinet website (site only in Finnish).
• The Huoma – Henkirikoksen uhrien läheiset ry association provides peer support for the loved ones of victims of homicide. For more information, visit the association’s website (site only in Finnish).

Services of Victim Support Finland

Victim Support Finland (RIKU) provides advice in all practical matters related to being a victim of a crime and the rights of victims. These include questions related to the stages of criminal proceedings, costs of legal counsel, or claiming damages, for example.

Victim Support Finland also provides emotional support and the opportunity to talk to a Victim Support Finland employee or volunteer about your experience as a victim. The employees and volunteers have training related to the consequences of crimes and processing them. You can also request for a support person to be assigned to you, who can accompany you to police interviews and court proceedings. The services are aimed at all victims of crime and their loved ones. The services are free.

If a terrorist attack or similar significant criminal incident occurs, Victim Support Finland will communicate on its local and national services as rapidly as possible. The services are not available around the clock, but the hours can be extended temporarily if necessary. 

Victim Support Finland also provides assistance and support in cases where a Finnish resident becomes a victim of a crime outside Finland, or if a person living outside Finland becomes a victim in Finland. Victim Support Finland’s services are in Finnish or Swedish, and interpreters are used when necessary.

How to contact Victim Support Finland’s services:

• Victim Support Finland helpline, tel. 116 006. Calling is free. 
• RIKUchat on Victim Support Finland’s website at riku.fi. Open the chat from the lower right-hand corner of the site.
• The legal advice telephone service at tel. 0800 161 177 provides free legal advice.
• You can also contact your nearest RIKU service point directly. Victim Support Finland has around thirty service points around Finland.

The police may ask you whether they can give your contact details to the support services. In this case, Victim Support Finland will contact you.

More information about Victim Support Finland’s services is available on Victim Support Finland’s website in English, Finnish and Swedish.

Compensation for losses suffered

If you suffer a loss because of a terrorist attack, the perpetrator is liable to compensate the loss they caused. As a victim of terrorism, you may also have the right to the compensation for crime victims paid with Government funds. You may also be entitled to receive compensation from an insurance company or a Kela reimbursement. Kela reimbursements are reimbursements paid by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) for medical costs such as physician’s fees or costs of medication.

Damages from the perpetrator of the crime

You have the right to demand that the perpetrator of the crime compensate the losses you suffered because of their crime. Claims for damages are processed in connection with the related criminal proceedings.  If you intend to claim damages, you must inform the police of your intention when they interview you during the investigation of the case. This is a requirement for you to be eligible for the compensation for victims of crime.  If a court hearing is held in the case, you must present your claim for damages to the perpetrator at the hearing.

When you claim damages, you must present documented proof of the amount of the loss you suffered. You should therefore document any losses suffered and expenses incurred. A medical statement can be invoked as written evidence and a basis for a claim for damages in criminal proceedings. It is important that you keep all receipts related to the expenses you incur.

The amount of damages is determined according to the Damages Act. You have the right to claim damages from the perpetrator for personal injuries, property damage and anguish, for example:

• medical costs and costs of medicine
• pain and suffering
• temporary harm (e.g. physical and psychological injuries)    
• permanent harm (e.g. permanent physical injuries and scars)
• anguish
• loss of income
• broken or lost property

If a person responsible for your maintenance dies in a terrorist attack, you can claim damages for the loss of maintenance. Persons close to a person who is killed can have the right to claim damages for anguish and compensation for burial expenses.

Contact Victim Support Finland for advice in questions related to damages or compensation.

Compensation for crime victims from the State Treasury

As a victim of terrorism, you may have the right to receive compensation under the Act on Compensation for Crime Damage, which the State Treasury pays with Government funds. To receive the compensation, you must inform the police that you are a victim of a terrorist attack, or that you are close to someone who died in the attack. If the matter is heard by a court, you must claim compensation from the perpetrator of the offence at the court hearing.

Victims of terrorism may be compensated with Government funds for personal injuries and anguish. Property damage and financial losses are only compensated in extraordinary circumstances. 

In some situations, a person close to a victim can receive compensation for the expenses they incur or loss of income. Burial costs may also be reimbursed. However, compensation is not paid for the mental suffering caused by the victim’s death to their loved one.

Compensation for crime victims is applied for from the State Treasury. A court decision or a pre-trial police investigation report must be appended to the application with any medical certificates and other reliable proof of the extent of the damage suffered.  You can apply for the compensation directly from the State Treasury even if you have not first attempted to collect it from the perpetrator. You can apply for compensation even if the perpetrator is not caught, or the offence has not been processed or mediated by a court for another reason.

The compensation paid with Government funds is secondary in nature. This means that any compensations paid by the perpetrator, insurance companies or Kela will be deducted from the compensation paid under the Act on Compensation for Crime Damage.

Visit the State Treasury website for more information and the application form.

You can also get advice from Victim Support Finland’s legal advice telephone service.

Payments under insurance policies

Voluntary personal insurance policies usually also cover injuries and damages caused by a terrorist attack. You may be entitled to compensation under your accident or medical expenses insurance policy. Your travel insurance policy may also cover terrorist attacks. People close to victims who are killed may also have the right to compensation under the victim’s life insurance policy. Travel and home insurance policies may cover any property damage suffered. If the terrorist attack was carried out with a vehicle, compensation may be paid under the motor liability insurance policy of the vehicle used.

If the terrorist attack occurred while you were at work or during your commute, you must apply for compensation in the first instance under the insurance policy your employer has taken out to insure its personnel against occupational accidents.

Companies’ property and business interruption insurance policies do not usually cover damage caused by a terrorist attack.

Contact your insurance provider for more information about compensations paid under your insurance policies.

Criminal proceedings

The thought of undergoing criminal proceedings may feel overwhelming, especially after a serious crime.  However, your situation can be made easier in many ways. You can receive support and advice, and a legal counsel or support person can assist you. To consider your needs, special protection measures can be undertaken during the pre-trial investigation and court proceedings under certain conditions.

Notify the police as soon as possible if you become a victim of a terrorist attack. You should file a police report because it enables you to fully exercise your rights. The police can also investigate crimes without anyone reporting the crime or without the crime catching the attention of other people or the media. In this case, too, it is important that you report to the police that you have been a victim of the offence. In such situations, it is advisable to report the crime in person at a police station, but you can also report it online. For more information about reporting a crime, visit the website of the Police of Finland.

Crimes are processed in criminal proceedings that comprise a pre-trial investigation, a consideration of charges, court proceedings and the enforcement of the sentence. In criminal proceedings, the victim is called the ‘injured party’. As a pre-trial investigation authority, the police will provide you with more information about the rights and responsibilities of injured parties. As an injured party, you have the right to request that the suspect is punished, among other rights. You have the right to claim damages for any losses you have suffered.

If the crime results in the victim’s death, the people close to the victim become the injured parties. In this case, they have the same rights as the victim. Usually, the children of the victim and their spouse obtain such rights. If the victim does not have children or a spouse, the parents or siblings of the victim obtain the rights. The victim may have the right to be informed when the person sentenced for the crime is released if the victim has requested this from the pre-trial investigation authorities or the prosecutor. In certain circumstances, the victim may also be informed if the perpetrator leaves prison for another reason.

The following sources have more information about the rights of victims:

• The Rights of a Crime Victim website

More information about criminal proceedings:

• Pre-trial investigation – Police of Finland
• Consideration of charges and the role of prosecutors in criminal proceedings – National Prosecution Authority
• Court proceedings in criminal cases – National Courts Administration
• Enforcement of sentences and instructions to victims – Prison and Probation Service of Finland (page only in Finnish and Swedish)

Support and advice

Victim Support Finland (RIKU) provides free advice and support to victims of crime, their loved ones and witnesses of crimes. You can contact Victim Support Finland in all matters related to the criminal proceedings.

Victims have the right to a support person being present during the pre-trial investigation and court proceedings. The support person can accompany the victim to the police interviews and the court proceedings. The support person service is free, and the persons are trained for the task. Request a support person to be assigned to you from Victim Support Finland. Someone close to you can also serve as a support person. The task of a support person is to provide personal support and to help you with the practical questions related to processing the incident.

Legal counsel

Victims have the right to be assisted by a legal counsel when they file a police report and during police interviews and court proceedings. Having a legal counsel is recommended, as it is in the victim’s best interest.

In some situations, a court may appoint a legal counsel for a victim or a person close to the victim for the duration of the pre-trial investigation and court proceedings.  If you are victim of a serious crime, you may be entitled to legal counsel paid with Government funds. For this, it is also required that you have made a claim in the case – for example, claiming damages from the person suspected of the offence.

Those close to a victim who dies because of an offence are usually also entitled to a court-appointed legal counsel. A court can appoint a legal counsel based on an application or at its own discretion. You can apply for legal counsel yourself during the pre-trial investigation, or the prosecutor or investigator in charge may apply for one to be appointed for you. The application is addressed to the court responsible for the case or under whose jurisdiction processing the application falls.

You may have to pay for legal counsel if a court does not appoint a legal counsel for you whose fees would be paid with Government funds. However, the Government may pay, partly or entirely, the legal expenses you incur from a legal counsel assisting you if you cannot pay the expenses yourself. This also applies to people who are not citizens of Finland. Legal aid is applied for from a legal aid office.  For more information about legal aid, please visit the website of the National Legal Services Authority.

Home insurance policies often include a legal expenses insurance policy under which you may be able to claim compensation for any legal expenses you incur. If the perpetrator is sentenced for the offence in a trial, the perpetrator is usually responsible for paying the injured party’s legal expenses. The victim or the persons close to a victim who dies as a result of an offence may also have the right to have their legal expenses paid under the system of compensation for crime victims paid with Government funds.

Victim protection in criminal proceedings

Under certain conditions, measures to protect the victim may be taken during the pre-trial investigation and the court proceedings to meet the needs of the victim. The need for protection measures is assessed with you during the pre-trial investigation. It can be decided that the person conducting the police interviews is always the same person, or the interview may be carried out in facilities designed for the purpose, for example. In court proceedings, the victim can in some cases be seated behind a screen, or be heard through video conferencing or without the defendant or members of the public being present. The court independently assesses what protection measures are required in its proceedings. The court may decide on measures different than those taken during the pre-trial investigation.

Instructions for a foreigner who has become a victim of terrorism in Finland

If you are a foreigner and have become a victim of a terrorism crime in Finland, below you will find information about your rights and the organisations that can provide practical assistance and support to you.

Instructions for a person who has become a victim of terrorism abroad

The authorities of each country are responsible for crisis management in their territory. If you require urgent assistance, contact the authorities. Finland’s missions abroad (embassies/consulates) and the 24/7 service of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland provide guidance and direct you to support services when required. The 24/7 service of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs can be reached at tel. +358 9 1605 5555 by telephone and at paivystys.um@formin.fi by email on each day of the year.

If you are outside Finland, and a terrorist attack occurs, stay informed via local media, the website of the local Finnish mission, the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and social media channels. If you submitted a travel notification to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, you will be sent information by email. You can submit a travel notification at any time during your trip. The local Finnish mission can provide advice and guidance to persons in distress who are temporarily residing in another country about receiving medical care, returning home, receiving legal assistance, reporting a crime to the police, and other assistance immediately required by the situation. In the event of death, the Finnish mission provides guidance and assistance to the bereaved in organising a burial or cremation, or bringing the body of the deceased back home.

If you become a victim of a terrorist attack or were in the area where an attack occurred, and you require crisis support in Finnish, you can contact the social and crisis emergency services of Vantaa and Kerava, tel. +358 9 4191 5800. The emergency services can help Finnish citizens who become a victim of a crime outside Finland in emergency situations and dealing with the effects. Finland’s national crisis helpline is also open 24/7 and provides assistance in Finnish at tel. +358 9 2525 0111. For more information about the service and the opening hours of the service provided in other languages, please visit mieli.fi.

In several EU countries, the number for a victim support helpline is tel. 116 006. The number will connect the call to the support service of the country you are in. With your consent, the Finnish mission or the 24/7 service of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs can also give your contact details to Victim Support Finland (RIKU).  If you wish to call Victim Support Finland’s support line, call the number +358 40 9401 867. The price of the phone call is the usual price of phone calls. More information and the helpline opening hours: riku.fi.

More information:

• Ministry for Foreign Affairs website
  • Consular services
  • Travel notification
  • Preparation for a crisis abroad
• List of Finnish embassies and other missions abroad – Finland abroad

If the terrorist attack occurs outside Finland, you may have the right to compensation for crime victims based on the local legislation. To be eligible for the compensation, you must report the crime and your status as a victim to the police. A crime report can be used to prove that you were in fact at the scene.

If you are a Finnish resident, you can submit an application for compensation related to a crime that occurred in another EU country to the State Treasury of Finland. You can use English, Finnish or Swedish when contacting the State Treasury. The State Treasury will provide general advice on applying for compensation and assist you in making the application. The State Treasury will have the documents translated and deliver them to the competent authority.

In certain situations, a resident of Finland may be entitled to compensation for a crime victim paid by the State Treasury even for a terrorist attack that occurred outside Finland. The compensation can be paid if the victim was abroad because of their work, studies or another comparable reason, or if paying the compensation can be considered justified on other grounds. For more information, contact the State Treasury.

Information about the compensation systems of EU countries is available at the European e-Justice Portal.