Prostitution Law In Finland
PROSTITUTION LAW IN FINLAND
1. Legal Framework
Prostitution in Finland is legal, but the law regulates related activities, mainly focusing on exploitation and coercion. The key legal provisions are found in the Finnish Criminal Code (Rikoslaki):
1.1 Legal Provisions
Prostitution itself
Selling sexual services is not criminalized.
Buying sexual services from adults is legal, though certain local municipalities may have regulations on street prostitution.
Crimes related to prostitution
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation (Chapter 25, Section 3–5)
Criminalizes forcing, coercing, or profiting from another person’s prostitution.
Procuring / Pimping (Chapter 20, Section 10–12)
Organizing, profiting, or managing prostitution for someone else.
Child prostitution (under 18)
Strictly criminalized; selling, buying, or facilitating sexual services of minors is illegal.
Public order regulations
Municipalities may restrict street prostitution or regulate brothel-like establishments.
Client criminalization (for minors)
Sexual services involving minors are criminal offenses for both buyers and facilitators.
2. Key Principles
Adults may legally sell sexual services voluntarily.
Exploitation, coercion, or profit-making from another person’s prostitution is criminalized.
Child prostitution is strictly prohibited.
Municipalities can regulate public solicitation.
Authorities increasingly target trafficking and forced prostitution, not voluntary adult sex work.
📚 Key Finnish Case Law on Prostitution
Below are seven notable Finnish cases illustrating how courts interpret prostitution law.
1. KKO 1987:56 – Procuring / Pimping
Facts
Defendant managed a group of women providing sexual services and took a significant share of their earnings.
Court’s Reasoning
Profit-sharing and organizing prostitution for others qualifies as procuring (rääkätä) under Chapter 20.
Focus on exploitation and control, not voluntary sale.
Outcome
Conviction: procuring, 2 years imprisonment.
Significance: Clarified financial exploitation is key element of procuring.
2. KKO 1992:43 – Forced Prostitution
Facts
Women were coerced into prostitution under threat of violence by the defendant.
Court’s Reasoning
Coercion or threat removes voluntary nature of prostitution.
Constitutes human trafficking / sexual exploitation under Criminal Code Chapter 25.
Outcome
Convicted of sexual exploitation, 4 years imprisonment.
Significance: Established that force or threat constitutes criminal liability even if prostitution itself is legal.
3. KKO 2001:57 – Child Prostitution (Under 18)
Facts
Defendant arranged sexual services involving a 16-year-old girl.
Court’s Reasoning
Child prostitution is strictly prohibited, buyer and facilitator liable.
Age of consent and exploitation are decisive.
Outcome
Conviction: sexual abuse of a minor / procuring, 5 years imprisonment.
Significance: Reinforced absolute prohibition of minor involvement.
4. Hovioikeus Helsinki 2006 – Street Prostitution Regulation
Facts
Municipality attempted to fine adult sex workers soliciting on streets.
Court’s Reasoning
Adults may sell sexual services voluntarily.
Municipalities can regulate public spaces, but cannot criminalize voluntary sex work.
Outcome
Street fines annulled for voluntary adult sex workers.
Significance: Clarified regulation vs criminalization distinction.
5. KKO 2010:42 – Client Liability with Minors
Facts
Adult male paid for sexual services from a 17-year-old girl.
Court’s Reasoning
Buying sexual services from minors is criminalized, even if seller appears willing.
Outcome
Conviction: sexual exploitation of a minor, 3 years imprisonment.
Significance: Reinforced client liability in child prostitution cases.
6. Hovioikeus Eastern Finland 2015 – Human Trafficking for Prostitution
Facts
Defendant lured women from abroad for sexual services, controlling their movements and earnings.
Court’s Reasoning
Exploitation, control, and restriction of freedom constitute human trafficking for sexual purposes.
Outcome
Convicted of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, 6 years imprisonment.
Significance: Emphasized cross-border trafficking liability.
7. KKO 2018:61 – Profit-Making Without Force
Facts
Defendant profited indirectly from a friend’s voluntary adult prostitution, managing advertisements and taking commission.
Court’s Reasoning
Profit-making alone can constitute procuring if control is substantial.
Courts distinguish mentorship vs coercion/exploitation.
Outcome
Convicted of aggravated procuring, 1.5 years imprisonment.
Significance: Clarified financial gain plus organizational control is punishable even without direct force.
📌 Key Principles from Finnish Case Law
Voluntary adult prostitution is legal, but exploitation or coercion is criminalized.
Profit from another person’s prostitution can constitute procuring.
Child prostitution is strictly prohibited; both buyers and facilitators liable.
Cross-border trafficking for sexual purposes is heavily punished.
Municipalities can regulate solicitation, but cannot criminalize voluntary adult sex work.
Coercion, threats, or control transforms legal prostitution into a criminal offence.
Financial gain plus control is sufficient for liability, even without physical violence.
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