The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI) is the European regional institute in the United Nations Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention programme network. HEUNI functions under the auspices of the Finnish Ministry of Justice as an independent research and policy-making institute.

HEUNI aims at a fair and just world by advancing humane and rational criminal justice policies and systems in the European region, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

HEUNI is a bold front-runner in creating and sharing uncompromised knowledge on the prevention of crime within the framework of criminal justice. We engage policymakers, practitioners and researchers in frank discussions to tackle current problems. We develop innovative and action-oriented solutions to advance the rights of those affected by crime.

HEUNI has a new strategy for the years 2024-2027. The strategy updates, revises and strengthens HEUNI’s operations to suit the demands of the 21st century. While the strategy identifies several core areas of work, it also aims to strengthen HEUNI’s operations and working methods in order to produce increasingly cutting-edge results.

Areas of focus

  1. 2.

    Criminal justice processes

    Access to justice Criminal justice Victim assistance Victims of crime
  2. 3.

    Human trafficking and forms of exploitation

    Human trafficking Labour exploitation Police
  3. 4.

    Social sustainability in supply chains

    Corruption Economic crime Labour exploitation SDG
  4. 5.

    Gender-based and other forms of violence

    Access to justice Exploitation of adolescents and children Gender-based violence Victim assistance Victims of crime

Current projects

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Recent publications

Published in 2024

Report series №109: "From rights on paper to rights in action"— Exploited migrant workers' access to remedy in the Baltic Sea Region

Authors
Saara Haapasaari, Tina Davis, Anni Lietonen, Natalia Ollus, Anniina Jokinen, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen, Mia Risberg
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Published in 2024

Report series №108b: "Pitkä polku"— Työkalupakki pakkoavioliittojen uhrien tukemiseen

Authors
Anniina Jokinen, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen
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Published in 2024

Report series №108: "Long journey"— Toolkit for Supporting Victims of Forced Marriage

Authors
Anniina Jokinen, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen
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Published in 2024

Report series № 105: Ihmiskaupparikosten esitutkinta uhrinäkökulmasta - Järjestöjen näkemyksiä ihmiskaupan uhrien auttamiseen ja sen haasteisiin esitutkinnassa

Authors
Natalia Ollus, Julia Korkman, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen, Anniina Jokinen
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Published in 2024

Report series № 107: "Breaking the myth of the untouchables"— Background paper on Albania’s rule of law development and the fight against organized crime, corruption and human trafficking.

Authors
Anna-Greta Pekkarinen, Natalia Ollus
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Published in 2024

Report series №106: "Never easy"— Enhancing response and support to victims of forced marriage

Authors
Anniina Jokinen, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen, Jessiina Rantanen
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Latest news

14.11.2024 | Blog | News item | SDG | Human trafficking | Labour exploitation | Police | Economic crime

Blogpost by Natalia Ollus: Forced labour and labour exploitation often looks like normal work

The Helsinki Police Department's Human Trafficking Investigation Unit recently reported on a case involving individuals recruited from the Philippines who were deceived to pay fees for non-existent...

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14.11.2024 | Event | News item

AIC - HEUNI Webinar ‘Enhancing administrative data collection on modern slavery’ 10.12.2024

We are pleased to invite you to webinar co-hosted by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI) and the Australian institute of Criminology (AIC) that explores the need for...

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08.11.2024 | News item | Human trafficking | Labour exploitation | Victim assistance | Victims of crime

Korkeakouluharjoittelija

Haemme korkeakouluharjoittelijaa HEUNIssa vuoden 2025 aikana toteutettaviin kehittämis- ja selvityshankkeisiin, jotka käsittelevät ihmiskauppaa ja sen lähirikoksia, kuten työvoiman hyväksikäyttöä...

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29.10.2024 | Event | News item | Labour exploitation | SDG

Exploited migrant workers' access to remedy in the Baltic Sea Region: From rights on paper to rights in action

The webinar presents findings from new research on exploited migrant workers’ access to remedy in the Nordic Countries and the Baltic Sea Region.

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15.08.2024 | Event | News item | Victims of crime

AIC - HEUNI Webinar "Coercive control & investigative interviewing within the context of trafficking in human beings " 10.09.2024

We are pleased to invite you to webinar co-hosted by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI) and the Australian institute of Criminology (AIC) that explores coercive control...

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