# Gender-based violence often goes unnoticed – Professionals need courage, skills, and support

> Gender-based violence exists in every society and culture. It is a global public health concern.

## The Prevalence and Hidden Nature of GBV
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global public health concern and a violation of human rights that significantly affects the safety, health, and wellbeing of women and girls (WHO 2023). Refugee women are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing multiple forms of violence due to their migration status (Wells, Freudenberg & Levander 2019). In Finland, women with foreign backgrounds experience violence two to three times more often than Finnish-born women, and their risk of being raped is almost twice as high (KPMG Oy Ab 2018).

Despite this, GBV often goes unnoticed. Silence from the client is not proof that violence has not occurred; many migrant women may view violence as a normalized part of life. Cultural taboos, fear, shame, and a lack of trust in authorities often prevent disclosure. Furthermore, professionals may hesitate to ask due to fear of retraumatizing the client or a lack of knowledge on how to respond.

## Challenges in Recognition and Practice
Recognition of GBV is difficult for several reasons:
* **Professional Uncertainty:** Many staff are unsure if they should ask about violence, hindered by language barriers, interpretation challenges, and cultural differences.
* **Invisibility:** Violence does not always manifest through physical signs; it may appear as withdrawal, fear, or silence, which are easily overlooked in busy work environments.
* **Systemic Barriers:** Findings indicate that barriers are not just individual but structural. High-paced work environments often lack the time required for the trust-building interactions necessary for a disclosure to emerge.
* **Lack of Clear Procedures:** Responsibilities are often unclear, and professionals may lack knowledge regarding care pathways or where to refer a client, leaving support fragmented.

## The Need for Support and Structural Change
The emotional burden of working with GBV survivors is significant, often leading to feelings of inadequacy or frustration. Without peer support or supervision, professionals are left to handle ethically complex situations alone. 

To improve outcomes, the following are required:
* **Stronger Support Structures:** Professionals need supervision and mental wellbeing support to ensure sustainable practice.
* **Clear Referral Pathways:** Up-to-date knowledge of available services and defined procedures for follow-up care.
* **Systemic Improvements:** As recommended by GREVIO (2024) and THL (2023), Finland should improve intersectoral coordination, ensure compulsory training, invest in long-term funding, and increase culturally appropriate services.

## About the Study
This article is based on Kirsi Soininen’s thesis, *Gender-based violence among refugees, challenges, support, and competence encountered by professionals*, completed within the Master’s program in Global Public Health at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

**Authors:**
* Kirsi Soininen, Master of Global Public Health, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
* Maria Luojus, Principal lecturer, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

## References
* GREVIO 2024. Baseline Evaluation Report Finland. Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Council of Europe.
* KPMG Oy Ab 2018. Report on violence experienced by women and girls with asylum-seeker background in Finland. Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities publication 60/2018. Helsinki: Prime Minister’s Office.
* Kyllönen-Saarnio, E. & Nurmi, R. 2005. Maahanmuuttajanaiset ja väkivalta: Opas sosiaali- ja terveysalan auttamistyöhön. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Labour, Monika-Naiset liitto ry.
* THL 2023. Preventing and identifying violence in health and social care. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
* WHO 2023. Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization.
* Wells, R., Freudenberg, N. and Levander, X. 2019. Professionals’ responses to gender-based violence among refugee populations: Barriers and recommendations. Journal of Social Work, 19(1), pp. 9–17.