Western Uusimaa: Police investigate sexual offence against child and distribution of material
Western Uusimaa police are investigating suspected possession of child sexual abuse material. The identity of the suspected person is known to police.
Police have investigated man since August – material shared on social media
Western Uusimaa police are investigating suspected possession of child sexual abuse material, Iltalehti reported. Material was submitted to police in August, on the basis of which authorities obtained information about a man potentially connected to the case. The man has been identified and has been questioned.
Police are aware that material related to the case has been shared on social media. The statement does not elaborate on the details of the events.
Criminal investigator Maria Hietajärvi emphasises in the statement that the investigation is still ongoing. "The more detailed investigation of what has occurred is ongoing, and we are currently working to verify the victim's identity. Sexual offences against children are confidential under the Act on the Openness of Government Activities, which is why we cannot elaborate on the details currently known to police," Hietajärvi says.
Police urge members of the public to refrain from speculation and to leave the investigation of criminal suspicions to the authorities. "We hope that the investigation of criminal suspicions of this type and the confirmation of facts in general are left to the authorities, and that speculation about them is not shared," Hietajärvi emphasises.
Police remind in the statement that possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material are punishable offences – even when the person is not connected to the original events. The further sharing of material on social media is a crime.
The statement also clarifies that whilst the age of sexual self-determination is 16 years, those under 18 years of age are, under law, children vulnerable to the influence of adults. In certain criminal provisions, the age limit is full legal age. In practice, all sexually suggestive communication between an adult and anyone under 16 years of age – whether in images or in writing – is criminal. The consent of the child or young person is not relevant to the crime: responsibility always lies with the adult.
Source: Iltalehti