The most common reason for a police house call is violence at Christmas time. This year, the alcohol-free shop is donating and supporting organisations that help victims of violence, which are facing government funding cuts, with a Christmas collection. The company is also encouraging other businesses to help the organisations.
Alcohol plays a major role in violent crime in Finland: Christmas is an unsafe time for many in their homes
Police statistics show that Christmas is a time when many people find their homes an unsafe place to be. Alcohol intoxication is known to be closely linked to assaults. It is estimated that at least a third of assaults are committed under the influence of alcohol. During the Christmas holidays, organisations offering help are stretched to the limit as resources run out.
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As a company that sells and imports non-alcoholic beverages, we deal with the effects of the alcohol industry on a daily basis, while at the same time working to promote a healthier drinking culture. It was clear to us that we wanted to use this campaign to support organizations that do literally vital work with those affected by violence. A Christmas and everyday life free from violence is a human right for all of us. It’s not enough to declare Christmas peace only on Christmas Eve, because increasing violence is encountered throughout the holiday season. That’s why we’re declaring Christmas peace for all homes now, while the pre-Christmas party season is in full swing,” says Jenny Rostain, CEO and founder of Free Spirit Drinks Oy.
During the campaign, you can donate to two different organisations in Free Spirit stores: the Women's Line in Finland Association and the Capital City Shelter Association. Donations can be made until the end of December 2025. Free Spirit Drinks Oy will match the donation, i.e. it will donate an amount equal to the amount collected from the collection, which will double the final donation. The Christmas Peace campaign period is 27 November - 31 December 2025.
- Donations can also be made to the collection accounts on the associations' websites every day of the year.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ORGANISATIONS:
WOMEN'S LINE IN FINLAND ASSOCIATION
Women's Line provides support services for women and girls who have experienced violence and works to reduce violence in society.
The Women's Line helps women and girls who have experienced violence at different stages and in different life situations. The services provide advice and support to help them cope with their situation and find ways to move forward. The Women's Line offers support and advice through helplines, chat rooms, online, peer support groups and by appointment. The helpline and chat rooms are staffed by trained volunteers. Peer support groups, appointments and online help are provided by professionals working in the field of violence.
The funds raised for the Women's Line are used to organise, implement, develop, inform, educate and advocate for recovery and empowerment services provided by the association. The funds raised can be used, for example, to hire additional staff and organise group activities for women and girls who have experienced violence.
Naisten Linja Suomessa ry: Collection permit RA/2022/1505 issued by the Police Board. The permit is valid throughout Finland, with the exception of Åland.
CAPITAL CITY SHELTER ASSOCIATION
Capital City Shelter Association (1978) is at the heart of the work on violence through its two main activities - Shelters (3 of them) and the Domestic Violence Unit.
In addition, the Capital City Shelter Association
- finds and helps victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence in old age, together with Suvanto ry in the "Senior's secret - free from violence "2024-26 project (STEA).
- develop new methods to prevent, identify, address and end intimate partner violence with the ETKL and its member organisations in the project "Supporters of Non-Violence" 2024-26 (ESF).
- develops a family intervention model for families experiencing intimate partner violence in custody, housing and visitation disputes and offers support to families in this situation in the project "Working with violence in prolonged separation situations" 2025-2027 (STEA).
Capital City Shelter Association: Collection permit issued by the Police Board RA/2022/27.
Collection permits issued by the Police Board can also be found on the associations' websites and campaign materials.
