Recognising the abuse

In August 2025, Finland’s largest human trafficking trial opened in Lapland, centred on Thai berry pickers allegedly trapped in conditions prosecutors compared to forced labour. Cases like this reveal that trafficking in human beings is not only about smuggling or brothels, it can hide in seasonal jobs, cleaning shifts, construction sites, or even in marriages arranged under pressure.

Finnish law defines trafficking as a process of exploitation where a person’s freedom is taken away for someone else’s gain. Forced labour, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation have all been identified in Finland in recent years, and many victims never realise that what they endure already meets the legal threshold. Recognising the signs, and knowing that confidential help exists through the National Assistance System, is the first step towards safety and justice.