hyväksikättyö

Hyväksikäyttö is a Finnish term that translates to "exploitation" in English. It broadly refers to the act of taking unfair advantage of someone or something for personal gain. This can encompass a wide range of situations, from financial exploitation and labor exploitation to emotional and sexual abuse. The core concept involves a power imbalance where one party leverages their position to benefit at the expense of another's well-being, rights, or resources.

In the context of labor, hyväksikäyttö can manifest as underpayment, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions, or the denial of basic employee rights. This often affects vulnerable populations such as migrant workers or individuals in precarious employment situations. Financial hyväksikäyttö might involve scams, fraud, or predatory lending practices that trap individuals in debt.

Emotional or psychological hyväksikäyttö involves manipulation and control tactics to undermine another person's self-esteem and autonomy, often within relationships. Sexual hyväksikäyttö is a severe form of exploitation involving unwanted sexual acts or demands, violating a person's bodily autonomy and consent.

The term emphasizes the imbalance of power and the detrimental impact on the exploited party. Addressing hyväksikäyttö often requires legal protections, social awareness, and support systems for victims. It is a societal issue that can occur in various personal, professional, and institutional settings.