Authors

• Kekki, Tuula (Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK))

Keywords

crime and security, energy security, national security, personal safety, social inequality, social problems

Abstract

This survey charted Finnish views and opinions on safety and security in Finland. The study was conducted in 2019 by Suomen Kyselytutkimus in collaboration with the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK).

First, some questions on the respondents' personal wellbeing and security were asked (e.g. whether they thought they would receive financial help from the people close to them if they needed it). The respondents' fears of encountering various situations in their daily lives (e.g. crime against property, domestic violence, traffic accident, terrorism, hate speech/hate crimes) that would undermine their safety or that of their loved ones were charted. The respondents were also asked whether they had themselves experienced various situations (e.g. been a victim of violence, been in a traffic accident, been in a fire) within the last year, the year before that, 2-4 years ago, over 4 years ago or never.

The respondents were presented with a set of attitudinal statements concerning safety in different types of residential areas and in Finland more generally, the impact of media on safety, righteousness of the treatment of criminals and victims of crime, and trust in foreigners living in Finland. The respondents were also asked how various characteristics (e.g. religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, political beliefs) affected their trust in other people. Views on national security were charted, and the respondents were asked how likely they considered Finland facing different problems within the next three years (e.g. threat of terrorism, sustained recession, problems with the supply of electricity, political problems, epidemics or pandemics, a massive influx of refugees, environmental catastrophes).

Next, the respondents were asked how they thought the availability of various services, such as police or emergency services and public child day care, would change within the next three years. Feelings of unsafety were also charted, and the respondents were asked to what extent their feelings of safety were increased by different actors (e.g. the police, the Defence Forces, emergency services, healthcare services, family). Additionally, the respondents' and their families use of various services (e.g. the police, emergency services) in the past year and their satisfaction with the services used were investigated.

Background variables included the type of the respondent's municipality of residence, NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions of residence, statistical grouping of municipalities, and residence in the seven largest municipalities in Finland (categorised). Additionally, the background variables included the respondent's age and age group, gender, mother tongue, household composition, whether R's parents were born in Finland, highest level of education, economic activity and occupational status, and sufficiency of the household's income.