Former Child Welfare Counselor Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Underage Girl
A 50-year-old man, who worked as a counselor at Attendo’s child welfare unit in South Karelia, has been sentenced to a four-month suspended prison term for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl under his care. The South Karelia District Court ruled that the man exploited his position of trust over a period of approximately five months in 2021, causing the victim distress and trauma symptoms (Iltalehti).
The court found that the man had established an inappropriate relationship with the girl, granting her privileges such as cigarettes and maintaining contact outside the residential unit—actions that violated both formal and unwritten rules. During a drive together, he caressed her thigh, which the court deemed a clear sexual act. The man also sent the girl messages with sexual undertones, including calling her a "hot babe" and writing, "I can use you for my own shady purposes." Despite his claims that his behavior was merely an attempt to build trust, the court rejected his explanations, particularly regarding the thigh-touching and messaging (Iltalehti).
In addition to the suspended sentence, the man was ordered to pay the victim €1,500 in compensation for the suffering caused.
Aggravated Sexual Harassment Case in Pirkanmaa
Separately, the Pirkanmaa District Court has sentenced a 42-year-old man from Ylöjärvi to a one-year and one-month suspended prison term for aggravated sexual harassment of his daughter’s 16-year-old friend. The crime occurred in June 2025 in a motorhome parked in the yard of his home, where the victim, his daughter, and her boyfriend were present (Ilta-Sanomat).
The man entered the motorhome around midnight and lay down between his daughter and the 16-year-old, who was partially covered by a blanket. He proceeded to stroke her thigh, stomach, and side before placing his hand inside her underwear and touching her genitals. The victim later described freezing in the situation, unable to react immediately. She eventually managed to alert her friend, who suggested leaving the motorhome. When the victim attempted to get up, the man placed his leg over her to prevent her from leaving, though she ultimately escaped (Ilta-Sanomat).
The court emphasized the severity of the crime due to the significant age difference and the man’s position of trust as the father of the victim’s friend. The sentence was reduced slightly due to his confession and an undisclosed compensation agreement between the parties. The verdict is legally binding, and the man has no prior convictions involving imprisonment.
