Some sexual offences are thought of as so “everyday” that young people do not recognize them - the police is campaigning to increase awareness

This week the police will release, on their Instagram and Facebook accounts, publications for children and young people that tell about sexual offences, the seriousness of which young people seldom understand. The objective of the campaign is to increase the awareness of young people regarding deeds in which a young person falls victim to a sexual offense. The publications have been created in cooperation with detectives specialized in sexual offenses. The campaign consists of five social media posts.

The police are getting reports of deeds that harm young people all the time, but the young people themselves rarely identify as sexual offenses. These are, for example, situations in which a person who is under sixteen years of age is sent sexually suggestive messages or pictures. The young person does not necessary think that they should tell an adult about unpleasant photos of messages.

“Young people may think that photos of genitals or disturbing messages received from strangers are so everyday or seem otherwise trivial that they are not worth mentioning,” says head investigator of sexual offenses Saara Asmundela of the Helsinki Police Department.

Sexual offenses are not always recognized

A very common phenomenon is offering a minor something in return for a sexual act. This type of crime is rarely reported to the police because it is not recognized as a crime. Most of the instances come to light in conjunction with a criminal investigation.

“It is more easily recognized that offering money to a minor for sex is a crime. It is just as serious a crime, however, to offer a young person a cigarette for them to watch as the perpetrator shows off their own genitals,” says Asmundela. “Just suggesting or promising something in return for a sexual act is punishable. Nothing sexual does not need to happen in order for a crime to occur.”

Likewise, pressuring a minor to appear in a sexually suggestive video or pictures is punishable. Pressuring someone under sixteen to send naked pictures or to pose for a picture is punishable as child sexual abuse. It is also punishable to possess, show, or distribute material in which someone under eighteen performs or is made to perform in a sexually explicit manner.

“The distribution of sexually suggestive material may seem harmless in that moment, but the situation may always change suddenly if the material ends up in the wrong hands or distribution, for example. You should really consider what kind of material you share. This is in regard to both friends and strangers,” says Asmundela.

It is good to be wary of a contact from a stranger

In many sexual offenses, the deed happens on the internet. Therefore, a good rule of thumb for young people is to not give strangers their own contact information or send pictures, and to really consider if it is a good idea to have a conversation with a stranger in the first place. On the internet, a person is not necessarily the person they claim to be. It is very common, for example, that sexual predators present themselves on the internet as being younger than they are.

Sexual predators are often skilful in speaking the language of young people and persuading them to do what they want. With their persistent manner, the predator may succeed in pressuring even a young person who has initially suspected their motives into sexual acts. Experts recommend that you should be as careful with contacts on the internet as with strangers that, for example, approach you on the street.

“Meeting a stranger on the internet is not any safer than in real life. On the internet there is no physical threat, but you cannot always be sure of the other person’s identity or intentions. Would you show a naked picture of yourself if a stranger suggested it at the mall?” asks Asmundela.

A seemingly trivial clue can be of great use

In many social media services you can choose who can see your updates and photos. When using social media, it is safer to allow only people you know for sure to see your updates.

“It is good if a child or young person feels comfortable about telling an adult about contacts from strangers, even if the contacts do not contain anything sexually suggestive. A contact from a seemingly innocent stranger or acquaintance may lead to pressuring or blackmailing a child,” comments Police Chief Superintendent Kimmo Ulkuniemi who is specialized in children’s sexual exploitation on the internet.

Sometimes shame prevents a young person from telling about an incident, especially if the perpetrator has succeeded in getting the young person to do unpleasant acts. The perpetrator may also threaten the young person with distribution of photos or messages.

“It is understandable that young people feel that telling about sexual contacts is difficult. You should, however, tell even about things that might seems trivial. Sexual predators often have many victims, and with the help of various clues, it is possible to get on the perpetrator’s trail. Every clue and bit of information is valuable for the police,” encourages Asmundela.

Sexual offenses toward young people that are not easily identified:

• A young person under sixteen is enticed to watch porn, masturbation, or sexual intercourse.
• A young person under sixteen is told about sexually explicit events.
• Sexual intercourse or other sexual acts are suggested to a young person under sixteen.
• A young person under sixteen is sent sexually explicit messages on social media (WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc.), by e-mail, SMS, or by letter.
• A young person under sixteen is made to act in a sexually explicit manner while the perpetrator is watching his or her activity (includes also, for example, via video connection).
• The perpetrator shows their genitals to a young person under sixteen (includes also, for example, via video connection).
• A young person under sixteen is shown motions depicting masturbation.
• A young person under eighteen is offered something in return, for example money, alcohol, or cigarettes, in exchange of a sex act.

What to do if you as a minor become a victim of a sexual offense?

Even though you might be ashamed, remember that you are a victim of a crime. Tell an adult that you trust about what happened, for example to a parent, school nurse, or another support person. The adults will help you contact the police and to file a police report. You can also contact the police directly.

Do not tell or give a hint to the other person that you have told an adult or the police about the incident. The best thing to do is not to react in any way.

Cut all communication with the other person. Do not answer phone calls or messages, even if you are being blackmailed or threatened.

Save all the conversations, messages, photos, and contact information that can be useful in investigating the matter. Take screen shots of the user’s profile, the conversations you have had and the photos that have been exchanged, and also write down the user’s username, the time of the contact, and the web services used for the communication.