Brave Movement announces establishment of new national platform in Finland

Brave Movement

15th October 2026

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Survivor-led advocates will bring together decision-makers, civil society and survivors at the launch event in Helsinki to call for stronger prevention, accountability and long-term support.

HELSINKI (15 October 2026) — Brave Movement Finland, a national platform of the global survivor-led Brave Movement, is launching today at Helsinki City Hall, becoming the 19th national platform of the global movement. The event brings survivor perspectives into direct dialogue with policymakers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

“Sexual violence against children in Finland is increasing both in person and online with the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material and abusive deepfakes,” said Scharliina Eräpuro, Founder of Brave Movement Finland, Founder of Little Girl Project, and survivor advocate. “We need survivor voices at the centre of decision-making as survivors have a unique understanding of where the gaps are in the systems.”

Save the Children estimates that 1 in 5 children in Finland experience sexual violence. (Source: Save the Children) In 2020 and 2021, a total of 2,660 and 3,210 underage victims of sexual crimes were reported to the police, respectively. (Source: Ecpat International)

Brave Movement Finland aims to advance concrete changes in how Finland prevents and responds to childhood sexual violence, including: eliminating statutes of limitation for sexual offences against children; tackling AI-generated child sexual abuse material and abusive deepfakes; requiring stronger online prevention, detection, reporting and removal; improving access to long-term survivor support; and strengthening accountability and legal protection.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Brave Movement Finland into the Brave Movement. Their advocacy and efforts to end childhood violence – and particularly sexual violence – in Finland are a vital contribution to the Brave Movement’s mission globally,” said Dr. Daniela Ligiero, Founder of the Brave Movement and President and CEO of Together for Girls. “We call on the Finnish government and policymakers to work with Brave Movement Finland to take bold, urgent action to ensure children’s safe and thriving futures.”

The Brave Movement is a growing movement of more than 900 members spanning over 80 countries. Advocacy by Brave Movement members has substantively contributed to policy changes that promote the safety of children and adolescents both online and offline in countries around the world. Survivors and allies can join Brave Movement Finland here: https://www.bravemovement.org/join-brave#apply-join-us