West Uusimaa: police investigate possession of image depicting child in sexual manner
West Uusimaa police are investigating suspected possession of material depicting a child in a sexual manner. The suspected man has been identified and has been questioned.
West Uusimaa police investigate suspected sexual crime against child
Google News FI — Crime (fi) reported that West Uusimaa police are investigating suspected possession of material depicting a child in a sexual manner. 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's identity is known to police and he has been questioned in the matter.
According to police, the case material has been distributed on social media. Detective Inspector Maria Hietajärvi stated in a press release that the clarification of events is still ongoing.
"The more detailed investigation of what occurred is ongoing, and we are currently working to verify the victim's identity. Sexual crimes against children are confidential under public information legislation, which is why we are not disclosing in more detail the particulars currently known to police," Hietajärvi said.
Police reminded in their press release that possession and distribution of material depicting a child in a sexual manner are punishable offences. A person can be held liable for the crime even if they have no connection to the original events.
"We hope that the investigation of suspicions of this type of crime and verification of facts are left to the authorities, and that speculation about them is not spread," Hietajärvi emphasised.
Police clarified the legislation in their press release: although the age of consent is 16 years, those under 18 are considered by law to be children vulnerable to the influence of adults. In certain crimes, the age limit is set at majority, as in acts relating to image material.
Police also emphasised that in practice, virtually all sexually suggestive communication between an adult and a person under 16 — whether by text or image — is criminal. The child's or young person's consent or initiative is irrelevant: responsibility always lies with the adult.
Any sexually suggestive image or video material depicting a person under 18 is material depicting a child in a sexual manner as defined by criminal law, and its possession and distribution is prohibited, even if the material was obtained from the child themselves.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)