Victim of crimes

If you become a victim of a crime, you should always file a police report. The faster you file a report, the faster the police can start investigating the case. Receiving compensation may also require that a police report is filed.

You can report crimes electronically or by visiting a police station. After receiving a report, the police start a pre-trial investigation, meaning that the police determine the sequence of events and the damage caused, and interviews the parties to the case and any witnesses. More information on filing a police report (poliisi.fi).

The police may decide to not carry out a pre-trial investigation if the crime is petty and the victim does not demand the perpetrator to be punished. The police must inform the victim if it decides to not carry out a pre-trial investigation.

The victims of crimes have the right to use Finnish or Swedish, or a Sámi language in the Sámi homeland during the pre-trial investigation and judicial proceedings. If a victim does not speak or understand the language of the judicial proceedings, they are entitled to use a language that they speak in all situations related to the investigation of the crime. If necessary, the authorities must arrange an interpreter for the victim.

Legal councel

It is often necessary to have a legal counsel assist you in judicial proceedings. The legal counsel must be an attorney-at-law, a public legal aid attorney or a licenced legal counsel.

Usually, the victim pays for the legal assistance they need themself. If the victim is unable to pay their legal counsel fees, they can be eligible for legal aid. More information on legal aid (oikeuspalveluvirasto.fi).

Restraining order

You can apply for a restraining order if you feel threatened or seriously harassed by another person. Applying for a restraining order is free. A report of the threat or harassment must be presented to the court, and the judge will determine whether there are grounds for issuing a restraining order.

A person subject to a restraining order may not meet, contact, follow or monitor the contacted person. If the restraining order is an extended restraining order, it also prohibits the person subject to it from being near the home or workplace of the protected person. In more serious cases, an extended restraining order can be supported with electronic supervision.

Possible grounds for a restraining order include harassment by a former spouse or cohabitant, or a situation in which an adult child extorts money from their elderly parent. A restraining order can also be imposed on someone living in the same household as the protected person.

A restraining order is valid for a fixed period.

A restraining order can be applied from the police or a district court with a written or oral application. Restraining order applications are processed as urgent cases by district courts.