What is a crime?

A crime is an illegal act or dereliction that is liable for punishment by law. Penalties are imposed if the offender has deliberately or with negligence committed a crime and he/she is responsible for the crime when committing the offence.

Criminal responsibility starts at the age of fifteen years. Even children under the age of fifteen are held responsible for any damages they cause. Preliminary criminal investigations are carried out by the police authorities. The prosecutor will consider the charges and the court will issue the penalty.

The internet pages of the Finnish Police provide advice on how to report a crime. These pages also include information on police tasks, e.g. crime investigation, public safety and a number of permits you can obtain from the police station.

Robbery

Stealing property from someone you know or any unknown individual using violence or with the threat of violence is a serious crime. The Crime Act defines this as robbery. If you are witness to, or victim of a robbery, always inform the police.

Pick-pocketing

Pick-pocketing a friend or parent or shoplifting is a crime and the police shall be informed. If you take goods past the cash till without paying, you will be guilty of shoplifting. If, while shoplifting, the offender breaks the packaging or damages some goods, he/she will also be liable to compensate for these damages to the value of the goods. If you do not steal yourself, but assist another in stealing goods by for example providing cover, the assisting person will also be found guilty of the crime. If you provoke someone to engage in pick­pocketing or shoplifting, you too will be held responsible for your actions.

Everyone has the right to restrain a pickpocket and to request the police to handle the incident. Any child under the age of eighteen caught stealing by the police shall have their parents and child welfare authorities informed. Stealing, violence and other deliberate malicious damage will lead to the individual having a police record. A criminal record may prevent you from being admitted for a study or job place.

Slander and abuse

The use of language may sometimes be rather colourful, but you should always bear in mind that not everything is always permitted. The spreading of unfounded information or disgracing of another individual is a punishable offence, if the actions fit the description of actions covered under the statutes for slaner and abuse of the Criminal Act. Slander or abuse focused on another student or teacher may be, for instance, writing something where unfounded information is given on another individual, being guilty of an act that may then lead to the individual in question falling into contempt. Name-calling may also be considered as abuse.

Pushing & shoving

Kicking, pushing, shoving, and hitting may cause injuries lasting an entire lifetime. Deliberate harm caused to an individual’s health using violence, or causing pain is a punishable offence. If one individual becomes injured in a squabble, the person causing the damage may be prosecuted for causing injury.

Assault may also be the deliberate harm caused to another individual’s health by continuous bullying. Bullying need not be accepted. Iff you are a victim of bullying, talk about the matter with your parents or teachers. You may also discuss the matter with the police.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence may be physical or mental violence, restriction of freedom or sexual harassment. It is a crime and also infringes an individual’s rights. Domestic violence is mainly focused on women, but also on children, old people and men.

If you become a victim of violence, a feeling of insecurity and anxiety may follow. If you suffer from any violence occurring within the family, you should discuss the matter with someone outside the family. Get some help for you and the whole family. At school, you may contact the nurse or school welfare officer. Crisis homes are also refuges where you can go if you are frightened of violence at home.

Sexual violence

Sometimes violence may be sexually related. If you or a friend become the victim of sexual violence, abuse or the attempt of such, discuss this matter with an adult you can trust and/or the police. Only you, or someone you allow, has the right to touch your body. You also have the right to protect yourself. Anyone at all can become the victim of a sex-related crime, girl or boy, man or woman, there is no need to feel ashamed.

Rape

Rape means forced sexual intercourse using violence or the threat of violence. Rape is a crime. Being a victim of rape is an extremely traumatic experience. The victim often feels ashamed and blames him/herself for the incident. You should remember that it is always the fault of the rapist, not the victim. Rape is never the fault of the victim. Wearing little clothing or leaving with a man does not make the victim guilty. Forced sexual intercourse may lead to the victim having mental and sexual problems. It may be a good idea to discuss the matter with someone you can trust, for instance a doctor. Support provided by people close to you is very important.

Rape should always be reported in order for the rapist to be punished. You should immediately visit the police or a doctor after the incident. Washing yourself and your clothes will destroy all the evidence the police require, and make it more difficult for the police to find the rapist.

Links:

Finnish Police

Judical System in Finland

Victim Support Finland