Domestic violence shelters in Finland have diverted more than 1,000 people to other accommodation so far this year because they were fully occupied, according to a survey by Finnish commercial broadcaster MTV.
MTV reported that nearly all of the country's shelters have been forced to send people to other facilities at some point.
Twenty-seven out of Finland's 28 shelters responded to the survey, with the operators of 24 facilities saying they had sent clients away due to a lack of space.
The shelters not needing to do so were in the cities of Hämeenlinna, Vantaa and Porvoo, according to MTV.
During all of last year, the shelters needed to divert more than 1,200 people to other safe places to stay.
Many of the facilities said they had seen an increase in people seeking shelter, the outlet reported.
Citing health authority THL, the news outlet noted that the shelters' clients are typically women between the ages of 25 and 34 who arrive with a baby or toddler. It added that the shelters also provide help to male clients.
MTV said it carried out the shelter survey following the reaction to a poll pubished earlier this week, which found one-quarter of young men saying that women might deserve acts of violence against them due to their appearance, dress or behaviour.
The shelters offer a safe place to stay for people experiencing domestic or family-related violence — or even the threat of violence.
Finland's domestic violence shelters have space for 228 families. No appointments or referrals are needed to seek help.