As a victim of crime

Gender, age or belonging to a minority or a special group can affect a victim’s situation.

A lonely elderly person may be unwilling or afraid to report violence committed against them by someone close. A person with a disability might be unable to verbalise abuse they have suffered. A person belonging to an ethnic minority does not necessarily see any point in reporting a hate crime, because they may not believe it will lead to any action. A young person belonging to a sexual minority can be afraid to talk about violence that occurred during a date for fear of their sexual identity coming into the open. A foreign person can be unaware of their rights if they do not have a knowledgeable interpreter in the criminal process. Video: What should you know about officials’ and interpreters’ roles in Finland?

Members of minorities or special groups do not always need special protection or support, but often it can be necessary.