Finland Contributes €200,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims to Support Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

Today, Finland contributes €200,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) earmarked to support victim survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This contribution is the second installment of the four-year agreement between the government of Finland and the ICC/TFV, covering the period 2017 – 2020 for the total amount of €800,000.

“Victims of sexual and gender-based violence have been a special priority for Finland. The Trust Fund has been working already for a long time in rehabilitating victim survivors of such crimes.  We consider our support essential in assisting victims of the most heinous crimes and their families in rebuilding their lives as well as strengthening the rights of women and girls. Both financial and political support by States Parties is needed.” – Ambassador of Finland in the Netherlands Päivi Kaukoranta

“The Trust Fund for Victims’ work could not be realized without the financial commitment of key supporters such as Finland. I am grateful to the Finnish government for its commitment and continuing support to the TFV since 2004. This contribution will strengthen the TFV’s programmes in providing much needed support for the survivors of sexual and gender based violence in the ICC situation countries.” – TFV Board member, Baroness Arminka Helić

Finland is one of the TFV’s long-standing supporters and one of the most consistent donors, having contributed over €2.9 million since 2004.

In 2008, the TFV launched a donor appeal to support victim survivors of SGBV. Finland was one of the first States Parties that responded to this appeal. Since then, Finland has consistently dedicated a significant portion of its voluntary contribution to the TFV for the benefit of SGBV victim survivors. In 2012, Finland and the ICC/TFV entered the first multi-year agreement for this cause for the period of 2012 – 2015 with the total amount of €800,000.

In 2002, the TFV was established under the Rome Statute, in order to support recovery and resilience for victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

The mission of the TFV is to respond to the harm resulting from the crimes within the jurisdiction of the  ICC by ensuring the rights of victims and their families through the provision of reparation and assistance programmes for them to return to  a dignified and contributory life within their communities.

For more information, please contact: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org