Sara Nygård speaks out on increasing voyeurism cases in Finland
Sara Nygård has been a victim of voyeurism twice, both instances involving her partner filming their sexual encounters without her consent. The first incident occurred in 2018 when Nygård was in a long-distance relationship. Her partner justified his actions by saying he wanted to remember their intimate moments while apart. “He hid his phone, started recording, and then called me to the bedroom,” Nygård recounted. Shocked and unsure about how to proceed, she stayed in the relationship for over two years, fearing that if she left, he might share the videos or sell them.
When they finally broke up, she urged him to delete all recorded videos, but she still does not know if he complied. These experiences left lasting emotional scars, leading her to seek psychotherapy to learn to set boundaries and rebuild her trust in others. However, when she started dating again, her trauma resurfaced, leaving her feeling immense shame and self-blame.
Voyeurism is defined as observing or recording someone without their consent in private places, such as homes or bathrooms. The act can lead to a maximum sentence of one year in prison. If the material is distributed, supplementary charges can include defamation and breach of privacy.
In a second case involving another partner, Nygård faced a similar situation. After discovering covert recordings, she felt terrified and anxious, prompting her to report the incidents to the police, who confiscated the man’s phone, uncovering more unauthorized material. He was ultimately convicted of voyeurism with a suspended sentence and ordered to pay Nygård compensation.
Reported voyeurism cases have surged in Finland, rising from dozens annually in the early 2000s to over 500 in just the first ten months of this year, highlighting an escalating issue tied to accessible technology. Experts warn that the legal consequences of such actions may not adequately protect victims, emphasizing the importance of consent and documenting encounters.