[Female perpetrated violence is usually directed against close persons, such as the spouse or child]

Common features for violent Finnish females and males include early underprivileged life and substance abuse. Women may commit mild partner violence as often as men. The female proportion of homicide sentences in Finland has increased during past decades, apparently most significantly influenced by the increased alcohol consumption among women. Partner homicides committed by women are often associated with self-defense aspects. Homicidal situations directed against children are often associated with self-destructive behavior by the perpetrator.