Muggings of prostitutes rare in Finland

print this

Cases of prostitutes falling victims of assault and battery are fairly rare in Helsinki.
      On the other hand, the police take violence and threats of violence towards prostitutes extremely seriously, notes Johanna Sirkiä, secretary of legal issues and international contacts at United Sex Professionals of Finland (SALLI).
     
Last weekend there were several break-ins into the dwellings of prostitutes of Estonian and Russian origin working in Helsinki. The women were beaten up and money and possessions were stolen from their homes.
      The police suspects the perpetrators were of Russian origin. Four separate cases of breaking in and assault and battery are currently under investigation.
     
According to Sirkiä, the legal position of prostitutes - and particularly those of foreign extraction - is weak.
      The business is often conducted illicitly under the threat of deportation.
      "The migrant workers of the grey economy and illegal residents can be attractive targets. The problem is that illegal workers cannot take their earnings to the bank but keep the money at home. The sums can be considerable", Sirkiä explains.
      According to Sirkiä, the perpetrators may also be encouraged by the assumption that because of their status the victims will not dare to contact the authorities.
     
"These are not isolated incidents. Of late there have been other victims as well, some of them of Finnish origin and others from a number of foreign countries", confirms a 23-year-old Finnish sex trade professional from central Helsinki.
      All the same, the kind of muggings and hold-ups that took place last weekend are rare, she says.
      "I have never been targeted with violence, but I have had to turn a few clients away from my door."
      The woman has also had to turn to the police for help. She thanks the authorities for their professional and matter-of-fact attitude.
      "Like many other sex professionals, I too have received threatening calls and extortion threats, which subsequently have been investigated by the police. The authorities take such matters seriously and we always send them a thank you note."
     
The woman describes the mere thought of being assaulted as "absolutely terrifying".
      "Still, I am not afraid, as I have taken certain precautions. And while talking with the client over the phone, you can already assess to a certain extent the shape he is in."
      The Net is also a fast and effective way of circulating information concerning dangerous or troublesome clients.
      The woman says she works from home. She pays her taxes.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki prostitutes targeted with assault and battery (19.9.2007)

Links:
  SALLI - United Sex Professionals of Finland

Helsingin Sanomat