Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not answered below, please send your question to us via Rikunet www.rikunet.fi.

1. Where can I find support?
If you suspect that you are a victim of crime, you can contact the Victim Support Finland and discuss your experience. You can call our Help Line number 0203 16118 Mon-Wed 3-6 pm. or you can contact our regional offices and make an appointment. You can also seek advice through the internet-service Rikunet (www.rikunet.fi). There are also other organizations that can offer you help. For more information on them, please visit the page "Useful links" or "Linkit".

2. How can I report a crime?
You can report a crime by visiting a police station personally and filing an official crime report. This can be done in any police station regardless of the place where the crime occured. A crime can be reported also by phone and in some cases even through the internet (for more information, please visit the page http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/pages/index_eng). You can report a crime even if you do not know the identity of a suspect.

In order to receive financial compensation it is necessary to report the crime. Crimes have different time limits in which they must be investigated and trialled in court. For example a rape has to be investigated and trialled within 10 years and an assault within 5 years. It is essential for your own legal protection and safety to report the crime as soon as possible.

3. Am I entitled to interpreter's/ translator's services?
Everyone has the right to use their mother-tongue when attending public authorities, for example in the police hearings or at the trial. The authorities are obligated to acquire an interpreter for a client who does not speak Finnish or Swedish as their mother-tongue.

4. Does being a victim of crime affect my immigration status in Finland?
Being a victim of crime does not have a direct effect on your immigration status. Everyone who has been a victim of crime has the right to receive advice, help and support. For further information you can also contact the Ombudsman for Minorities in Finland (http://www.ofm.fi/intermin/vvt/home.nsf/pages/index3).

5. Can I get free legal assistance?
In Finland it is possible to receive state funded legal assistance when the case is being heard in a Finnish court or the individual has residence in Finland. The amount of aid depends on the individual's (or couple's, if in marriage or co-habitation) income and assets. For those with minimal or no income and assets legal aid is free of charge. Legal aid is applied for from the Public Legal Aid Offices. More infomation on Legal Aid can be found at www.oikeus.fi.  

Victims of sexual violence, domestic violence or a serious violent crime have the right to receive legal assistance at the expense of the state, regardless of the victim's income.

6. What does a restraining order mean and how can I file for one?
A restraining order means that in order to protect the life, health, freedom or peace of a person, another person may be ordered not to contact him/her. A restraining order can be applied for by anyone who justifiably feels himself/herself threatened or harassed by another.

You can apply for a restraining order either in writing or orally from the police or directly from the District Court. When applying for the order, you have to tell the authorities for example what kind of threat or harassment you have or are about to be subjected to, and whether there are witnesses or other proof in the matter. An application for a restraining order is handled at the trial urgently. The restraining order will enter into force as soon as it has been imposed. Breach of a restraining order is a punishable act . The punisment is a fine or imprisonment not exceeding one year.

For more information, see also http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/ExternalFiles/englanti/$file/englanti.pdf.