The number of sexual offences reported to the police increased significantly last year, influenced by new legislation. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Str / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Kela chief Lehtonen issues apology after staff backlash
Reports of sexual offences to the Helsinki Police Department have increased by more than 50 percent in two years. The number of rape cases rose by 68 percent over the same period, according to data released by the Helsinki Police on 13 November.
The rise follows the full reform of Finland’s sexual offences legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2023. The reform expanded the definitions of offences and introduced new categories of punishable conduct. Authorities had anticipated a rise in reported cases as a result.
According to figures from January to October 2025, a total of 1,011 sexual offences were reported to Helsinki Police, compared to 653 during the same period in 2023. In 2024, the full-year figure stood at 1,131 cases, up from 808 in 2023.
Rape and coercion into sexual intercourse made up 402 of the reported offences so far this year, compared to 239 during the same period in 2023. This marks an increase of 68.2 percent.
Crimes related to child sexual abuse rose from 135 cases in early 2023 to 169 in 2025, an increase of 25.1 percent. Other sexual offences climbed 57.7 percent in the same period.
Jari Illukka, crime inspector at the Helsinki Police Department, said the rise continued after the legal reform. “The updated law introduced new methods of committing sexual offences that are now punishable, which has certainly contributed to the increased number,” Illukka said.
Officers noted that about one-third of all sexual offence suspects in Helsinki are foreign nationals. Among rape suspects, the share rises to about 40 percent. These proportions have remained stable in recent years.
The most common offence outside of rape and abuse cases is sexual harassment. Following the legal reform, sexual harassment now includes not only physical contact but also other types of sexual acts. In 2024, sexual harassment accounted for 22 percent of all sexual offences in Helsinki, with 251 cases reported. That figure is twice as high as in 2022, before the reform.
The most common type of suspected sexual offence involves sexual acts between adults where consent is disputed.
In such cases, police say problems often arise from poor understanding of personal and others’ boundaries regarding sexual self-determination. It is less common for individuals to knowingly and intentionally violate another person’s rights.
Jari Illukka said the early stages of such cases often rely solely on the victim’s account. “Initially, a sexual offence suspicion is based on the victim’s subjective perception of the act and the perpetrator. In principle, only the victim can explain how, when, where, and by whom their sexual autonomy was violated,” Illukka said.
Police often face difficulties when the complainant does not attend questioning or loses interest in pursuing the case after filing the report. Establishing whether consent was given can be difficult after the event.
Police stress the importance of timely reporting. In emergency situations, victims are urged to call 112 immediately. Officers will then file a report, take the victim for forensic examination, and attempt to locate the suspect without delay.
Early reporting is critical for securing evidence and supporting investigations.
In Helsinki, victims of sexual violence can access 24-hour help through the Seri Support Centre at the Women’s Hospital. Victims under the age of 16 are treated at the New Children’s Hospital emergency unit. Services include forensic examination, risk assessments, STI testing, psychological support, and planning for continued care.
HT
- Next Article Kela chief Lehtonen issues apology after staff backlash
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
