Crimes

Crimes are actions which are defined as forbidden by the law. Crimes are usually punishable. Crimes include theft, traffic violations, vandalism, drug crimes, assaults and homicide as well as sexual crimes.

Sexual crimes mean violating the sexual self-determination of another person. All sexual acts are crimes if the other party has not given consent. Consent can be expressed through words or body language. Repeated sexual advancements can also be a crime if these are unwanted by the victim.

If you suspect a crime, you can report this to the police. There is a variety of help and support on offer for victims of crimes.

Crimes are acts deemed punishable by the law

A crime is a forbidden act which is punishable by law. Neglect – meaning leaving something undone – can also be a crime, as well as instigating someone else to commit a crime. Sometimes an attempted crime is a crime and can be punishable.

In Finland, every person has the obligation to notify the police if they know that someone is planning a crime. Then the crime can still be prevented. This obligation to report regards serious crimes, for example, homicide, rape, assault or robbery. Close family members of someone planning a crime does not have this obligation.

Typical crimes in Finland include:

• Theft: Theft means taking another person’s property without permission. Shoplifting is always reported to the police. Stealing items of small value is petty theft.
• Traffic violations: Traffic rules, such as speed limits, must be obeyed. You cannot drive a vehicle without a driving license. You are not allowed to drive a car, motorcycle, or moped under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Vandalism: Other people’s property cannot be damaged or broken. If a person damages another’s property, they are liable to pay compensations. If the offender does not pay compensations, authorities can deduce the compensations directly from their salary.
• Crimes connected to alcohol, tobacco and drugs: In Finland, alcohol and tobacco can only be used when you are over 18 years old. It is forbidden to sell alcohol to a minor or to buy alcohol on behalf of a minor. These are crimes which can result in fines or incarceration. The production, selling, transport, possession and use of all drugs is forbidden by the law. Cannabis is an illegal drug in Finland.
• Violent crimes and homicide: Violence is a crime in Finland. Violence can be physical, sexual or emotional, or the threat of violence. Homicides include murder, second degree murder (tappo) and voluntary manslaughter (surma).

Violence is not only physical violence

Violence infringes on human rights. It affects the wellbeing and health of all those involved. In addition to physical injuries, violence can also cause depression, anxiety, eating disorders and sleep disorders.

• Physical violence includes hitting, pushing, pulling hair, strangling, kicking or obstructing movement. Assault means that a person directs or tries to direct violence toward another person. Assault is a crime even if there are no marks on the body
• Emotional violence includes threatening, blackmail, name-calling, isolation from other people, poor treatment and examining another’s phone or email. Emotional violence does not leave external marks, and therefore it can sometimes be difficult to recognise.
• Sexual violence includes harassment, touching, rape or sexual assault.

Assault in Finland is a crime subject to official prosecution (virallisen syytteen alainen rikos). This means that the offender can be charged for their act even though the victim does not want this.

More information about violence in families in Support for families in difficult situations

The victim’s clothing or other behaviour is never a justification for a sexual crime

Sexual crimes are crimes which violate another person’s sexual self-determination. Sexual crimes include rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Sexual intercourse without the consent of the other party is always rape. Consent means that a person participates in the act voluntarily of their own will. If someone participates only because they are afraid to refuse, this is not consent. A person who is asleep or unconscious due to the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine, cannot give their consent to sex. Consent can be expressed with words or through body language.

In addition to sexual intercourse, other sexual acts are also crimes if they do not have the consent of the other party. This is called sexual assault (seksuaalinen kajoaminen). These acts include forcefully touching another person’s genitals or breasts, or masturbation in front of another person.

Sexual harassment means, for example, touching another person sexually without their consent. Sexual harassment can also mean repeated verbal acts, sending messages or exposing oneself – these violate the other person’s sexual self-determination.

Sexual acts without the other’s consent or sexual harassment cannot be justified, for example, by the victim wearing revealing clothes, their state of intoxication, the victim accompanying the offender to their home or having previously consented to sex with the offender or someone else. A relationship or marriage does not mean automatic consent to sexual acts, and consent must be ensured every time.

Consent to one type of sexual act – for example, intercourse with a condom – does not automatically mean consent to other sexual acts – for example, intercourse without a condom.

When the victim is a child under the age of 16, sexual intercourse or other sexual acts are always a crime. A child under the age of 16 cannot thus give their consent to sex. An exception to this is if both parties are of the same age and sexual self-determination has not been violated. When the youth is 16–17 years old, it is a crime if the other party has some sort of authority over the young person.

It is common for victims to not report sexual crimes to the police. This may be because they feel shame or guilt for what has happened. Sexual crimes are never the victim’s fault. It is possible to receive help during the criminal procedure. Though becoming the victim of a sexual crime is often traumatic, it is possible to recover.

The victim of a sexual crime can receive help also without reporting the crime. Seri support centres offer trauma support and psychological counselling. Anyone over the age of 16 regardless of gender can contact the support centre. Some organisations also offer support for victims of sexual crimes. If the victim of a sexual crime is a child, the child and their family can receive help from child welfare services.

More information about Seri support centres: Seri Support Centres in Finland (thl.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English, Arabic, Sámi, Somali, Ukrainian, Estonian)

More information about sexual rights in Sexual health

A crime can be reported by someone else than the victim

If you know or suspect that a crime has been committed, you can report this to the police. The report can be filed at any police station, online, by telling a patrolling officer or by calling. The police are obligated to take in any reports.

Crimes can also be reported to the police anonymously by calling a tip line or by sending an email. Then the offender cannot find out who reported the crime to the police.

More information about the police: Contact information (poliisi.fi)

Where can I find help if I become the victim of a crime?

If there is an emergency and help is required immediately, you must call the emergency number 112. An emergency means that someone’s life, health, property or environment are in danger.

It is important to seek help if you become the victim of a crime. It can be difficult to manage alone. The following provide assistance:

• Victim Support Finland (RIKU): Victim Support Finland is a free of charge service which can be used by victims of crimes, those close to the victim, and witnesses. Victim Support Finland provides guidance or a support person for different stages of the criminal procedure. More information about Victim Support Finland: RIKU
• Shelters: Many municipalities have shelters. You can go to these alone or with children if there is violence or the threat of it at home. Shelters provide temporary accommodation and help to overcome violence. The Federation of Mother and child homes and Shelters (Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto) and the welfare services of your own wellbeing services county can provide more information about shelters. The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (ensijaturvakotienliitto.fi)
• Shelter Mona: Shelter Mona is located in southern Finland and it is meant especially for immigrant women. The address of the shelter is secret. Shelter Mona (monikanaiset.fi)
• The Assistance system for victims of human trafficking: The Assistance system for victims of human trafficking helps people who have become victims of human trafficking. More information: Ihmiskauppa.fi
• Organisations: Many organisations help people who have experienced violence or its threat. People close to the victim can also receive help. These organisations include for example MONIKA - Multicultural Women's Association’s Crisis Centre Monika Crisis Center Monika and Women’s Line (Naisten linja) Naistenlinja.fi.
• The municipality, wellbeing services county and parishes: You can also seek help from the counselling services of your own municipality or city, the social welfare services of your own wellbeing services county, health station, family counselling clinic or for example through the family counselling offered by parishes.

More information about crimes related to work and how to find help in Issues at work