The Public Order Act

The Public Order Act (POA) entered into force in Finland in 2003. The Act strives to promote order and security in public places. The more serious offences against general public order and security are defined in the Criminal Code.

The Public Order Act replaced local government ordinances – public order ordinance is now the same throughout Finland, regardless of municipality or city. The Public Order Act applies to places designated for public use, irrespective of ownership. Such places are, for instance, streets and roads, market squares, parks, beaches, means of public transport, public offices, and restaurants.

The Public Order Act does not in itself say anything about prostitution. The legislator has, however, taken the stand that overt prostitution disrupts public order. For this reason, the Public Order Act bans buying or providing sexual services for a charge in public places.

If someone breaks the law by purchasing or selling sexual services in a public place, he or she may be fined for breaching the peace. A fine for breaching the peace may not be converted to imprisonment.