1. Kristiina Hannila Sexual violence work in Girls House Helsinki
Slovenia
Kristiina Hannila
Sexual violence work in Girls House Helsinki

2. GIRLS’ HOUSE®

3. Girls’ House®
Girls’ House is the partner house of Kalliolan Nuoret (Kalliola’s Teenagers Association), the Settlement Youth Association and the Youth Department of the city of Helsinki.
Our main financiers are Finland’s Slot Machine Association (RAY) and the city of Helsinki. The president of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen is the permanent benefactor of the Girls’ House.

4. The values of Girls’ House
Girls’ House is based on the values of equality, respect for differences, belief in one’s own resources, sense of community and awareness of being a woman.
The main objective of the Girls’ House is to support the growth and identity of girls and women and help them to become who they want to be in an atmosphere that respects the sense of community and womanhood.

5. We aim at encouraging girls and young women to listen to themselves and to respect themselves and others, as well as offering them a safe and positive meeting place that appreciates girlhood.

6. Activities at the Girls’ House
Open groups
Recreational groups
Closed girl groups

7. Open activities,
Open activities are a safe place to spend an active afternoon in adult company.They provide interaction, involvement and a chance to be heard.
They are an easy way to take part and become familiar with the Girls’ House and the girls and adults here.

8. Recreational groups A safe place to try new hobbies.
Room to explore and also for failure.
A place for social contact and interaction.
A way to learn more about oneself.
Consist ie. of yoga, afrodance, theatre, improvisation, bollywood, arts and salsamix.
30 – 35€ per season

9. Closed girl groups
Closed girl groups offer girls and young women an opportunity to learn to know themselves and their own life in a safe and confidential environment together with other girls and women of the same age.
These groups are planned and have goals. They aim at supporting self-esteem, sense of worth and gaining control of one’s own life.

10. Sexual-Health(POP IN-reception)
POP in reception is confidential and free of charge. It offers pregnancy tests, postcoital contraception, sti-tests, condoms as well as individual and group advicing.
Pop In reception cooperate with public heath care to make contacts client fiendly and meaningfull.
POP in offers training and further education in terms of sexual abuse, sex education and humanity education.

12. Sexual Violence work
Supportive trauma based work for girls and young women ( app. 140 clients/year)
Clients need intensive individual work ,after that they are able to join peergroups
Help is needed among different issues: concerning health and crimeprosess, sexual issues, everyday life and close relationships.
Psychoeducation is important
Co operating with layers,parents,childprotection is very important.

13. How do girls reach our help?
Another NGO:s
Internet
Police
Childprotection
Their own ”jungle drum”

14. YOUNG MOTHERS -project
These groups are aimed at pregnant women and mothers under the age of 21 and their children. The groups offer support, trips and help with everyday tasks. They also provide a possibility to meet other woman who are in a similar situation.

15. SISTERS -multicultural girls- project
Sisters groups deal with girls’ life and growing up in a multicultural environment. They aim at finding a way of living in multicultural surroundings. These groups offer events, individual support and networks.

16. Voluntary work
Voluntary work gives grown-up women an opportunity to participate in the activities of the Girls’ House according to their own resources and strengths. Voluntary work includes education, leading activities and a womanhood group. (Finnish Ministry of Education)

17. Principles of the Girls’ House
Girl-centredness Genuine encounters and interaction Resource centredness Social empowerment Sense of community Participation Female consciousness
Feminism