Finnish conscript convicted of service offence after sexually harassing two female recruits

A 20-year-old male conscript in Finland’s Armoured Brigade was sentenced to 40 day-fines (€240) for service offences after sexually harassing two female recruits, reports public broadcaster Yle.

The Kanta-Häme District Court ruled in April that the man had touched and groped the women without consent, including grabbing one by the breast, slapping her backside, and lifting her into the air. He also propositioned one recruit for sex and made inappropriate comments about her body.

The case was not prosecuted as a sexual offence because Finnish law classifies sexual harassment of an adult as a complaint-dependent crime—meaning charges can only be brought if the victim demands prosecution. Neither victim filed a formal complaint, so prosecutors pursued only the service offence.

Legal experts question reliance on victims
Sakari Melander, professor of criminal law at the University of Helsinki, noted that while the acts met the legal definition of sexual harassment, the complaint-dependent nature of the offence prevented a broader prosecution.

“Sexual harassment can be fulfilled by a single touch or verbal act,” Melander said. “This was by no means the mildest form of harassment, but since it’s defined as a complaint-dependent crime, the case couldn’t proceed as a sexual offence.”

Under Finnish military regulations, all forms of sexual harassment are prohibited, with violations treated as service offences. More severe sexual crimes, such as coercion, are prosecuted regardless of victim complaints.

The conscript’s actions violated Section 81 of Finland’s General Service Regulations, which explicitly bans “all sexual and gender-based harassment, bullying, and hazing.”