Number of rapes rises by 68% in Helsinki in 2 years

Sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department increased by more than 50 percent in two years, and rapes by 68 percent, said Police on Thursday based on data from January to October.

The new legislation on sexual offences entered into force in 2023, changing the definitions and classifications of crimes. The changes were expected to increase the number of criminal cases. Therefore, direct comparisons can only be made from 2023 onwards.

For other sexual offenses, the most common crime category is sexual harassment. Sexual harassment was expanded to include sexual acts in addition to physical contact in the new legislation on sexual offences.

Sexual harassment accounted for 22 percent of all sexual offences in 2024.

A total of 251 criminal reports were filed, which is double the number in 2022, when the old sexual offences law was in force.

Suspected sexual offences often involve a poor understanding of the boundaries of one's own and another person's sexual self-determination. It is less common for the boundaries of another person's self-determination to be consciously and deliberately violated.

A recurring challenge in investigating suspected sexual offences based on consent is that the complainant does not show up for questioning or is no longer interested in investigating the matter with the police after filing the report.

"Sexual offences reported to the Helsinki Police Department have continued to increase significantly even after the comprehensive reform of legislation on sexual offences. The new legislation on sexual offences brought new types of offences within the scope of criminal liability, which has certainly contributed to the increase in the number of sexual offenses," said Senior Detective Superintendent Jari Illukka.

It is difficult to determine after the fact whether consent was given to sexual intercourse.