There are no winners at the ringside – new document gives a voice to those who grew up in a violent household
With over 800 million* annual spectators, domestic violence is the most watched combat sport in the world. Released on 26 November, Life at the Ringside is a documentary film by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and film director Iris Olsson that gives a voice to five Finns who spent their childhoods at the ringside – against their will.
Too many children are exposed to violence that can be physical, psychological or both. These situations leave their mark; witnessing violence and being exposed to violence may be as damaging to a child as being a victim of violence.
“Domestic violence is the most watched combat sport in the world. Every child that has to live at the ringside at home is one too many. At THL, we are working to give everyone the chance to have a safe home life and the freedom to live their life without the fear of experiencing or seeing violence”, Sini Stolt, a Chief Specialist at THL, explains.
“Everyone has the right to childhood and adolescence without violence. Those who have experienced violence or the threat of violence can seek help from services such as the Nollalinja helpline and shelters for victims of domestic violence. With help and support, a child or a young person can overcome even a challenging situation”, Stolt continues.
A new documentary film tells five stories about homes where exposure to violence was normal
The documentary is directed by award-winning film director Iris Olsson. In the documentary, five individuals who grew up in a violent household share their stories. Arto, Ismo, Joni, Mirkku and a woman who wishes to stay anonymous talk about broken homes where witnessing violence was normal and ponder how these experiences have shaped their lives.
“It was clear from the start that I did not want to portray our cast as victims or to claim that time heals all wounds. Our experiences may leave us with deep scars, but life still goes on”, Olsson says.
“I have utmost respect for our leads. Through their experiences, they shed light on what goes on behind closed doors in too many homes. It takes great strength and courage to accept traumatic events as part of your story and then share these events with others”, Olsson continues.
The documentary short film Life at the Ringside was released on Tuesday 26 November at 8:00, and it is available on YouTube and at lifeattheringside.com.
Nollalinja helpline and shelters provide help at any time, on any day of the year
Nollalinja is a free helpline manned by domestic violence professionals and it can be contacted at any time, on any day of the year. In addition to the telephone helpline, Nollalinja also provides a chat service. Nollalinja can be contacted even if some time has passed since the violent experiences.
Nollalinja provides help over the phone and through the chat service in Finnish, Swedish and English, and also in nine other languages via an interpreter over the phone.
Consider going to a shelter if you experience domestic violence or fear you might experience it or if you feel like it is no longer safe to stay at home. Shelters are open to adults seeking refuge for themselves alone or for their children as well regardless of age and sex. Staying at a shelter is always free of charge.
Additional information
Download PR materials (video, photos)
Sini Stolt
Chief Specialist
THL
Tel. +358 (0)29 524 8193
[email protected]
Nollalinja:
24/7 helpline, tel. +358 (0)80 005 005
Chat service, open Mon–Wed 9.00–15.00 and Thu–Fri 14.00–20.00
Nollalinja.fi/en/
More information about shelters:
Nollalinja.fi/turvakoti
Source:
*According to MMA Hive, the annual viewership of UFC is 207 million (source).
Unicef estimates that 275 million children witness domestic violence every year (source). With the victim of violence and the perpetrator also being there in addition to the child, the total number of people who witness violence is 800 million every year.