Authors

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

Keywords

child safety, crime and security, elderly, energy security, insurance, law enforcement, national security, personal safety, public services, trust

Abstract

This survey study charted Finnish people's views and opinions on safety and security in Finland. The study was conducted in 2015 by Suomen Kyselytutkimus in collaboration with the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK).

The first questions covered the respondents' personal wellbeing and security, and they were enquired about social relations, sense of belonging, loneliness, social safety nets, trust in other people, trust in receiving help when needed, and factors increasing security in their lives (e.g. money, health, the police, family, work). Next, the survey examined the respondents' preparedness for different threats and disturbances with questions regarding, for instance, whether the respondents had any uninsured assets that should be insured, and how many days their household would fare without electricity, water, public transport, etc.

The study also surveyed views on national security, and the respondents were asked how likely they considered Finland facing different problems within the next three years (e.g. threat of war, terrorism or sustained recession, or problems with the supply of electricity, political problems, epidemics, a massive influx of refugees, or environmental catastrophes).

Next, the respondents were presented with a set of attitudinal statements concerning the state's role in guaranteeing citizens' safety and livelihood, safety in different types of residential areas and in Finland more generally, righteousness of the treatment of criminals and victims of crime, equality, trust in foreigners living in Finland, and feelings of unsafety. Relating to safety, the respondents were also enquired to what extent their feelings of safety were increased by different actors (e.g. the police, the Defence Forces, emergency services, healthcare services, family). Views on the biggest factors decreasing the safety of children and the elderly were also charted (e.g. traffic, loneliness, crime, accidents, substance abuse).

Finally, the study charted views on which services funded publicly at the time of the survey could be funded by customers to a greater extent (e.g. social and health care services, education, libraries, child day care, church, geriatric care).

Background variables included type of the respondent's municipality of residence, region, age, gender, household composition, whether R's parents were born in Finland, educational level, economic activity and occupational status, and sufficiency of the household's income.