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 2025

HEUNI Report series № 110. An adaptation of the NICHD interviewing protocol for investigating internet-related child sexual abuse (NICHD-ROCSA) Duplicate 1

Authors
Julia Korkman, Maria Hietajärvi, Malin Joleby, Michael Lamb, Irit Hershkowitz
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Published in 2025

Listening to Young Voices: Recommendations for Including Children in Investigations of Online Sexual Abuse

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Published in 2025

NEVER EASY — Checklist for individuals assessing forced marriage situations (multiple languages)

Authors
Anniina Jokinen, Anna-Greta Pekkarinen
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Published in 2025

Report series №106b: ""Tämä ei ole helppoa"— Tuen tehostaminen pakkoavioliiton uhreille". EASY-projektin parhaiden käytäntöjen opas

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

10.06.2025 | News item | Human trafficking

European Commission launches EU Anti-Trafficking Hub to strengthen fight against trafficking in human beings

On 5 June, at the meeting of the National Coordinators and Rapporteurs on combatting trafficking in human beings, the European Commission launched the EU Anti-Trafficking Hub.

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05.06.2025 | Media | News item | Exploitation of adolescents and children | Victim assistance

Julia Korkman on tackling online child sexual abuse: education, trust, and systemic change

In a recent interview and training visit to Chile, Julia Korkman discussed the urgent need for prevention, education, and systemic support to address online child sexual abuse emphasising trust,...

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30.05.2025 | Event | News item | Exploitation of adolescents and children | Access to justice | UN | SDG | Criminal justice

CCPCJ 34 Side event “Responding to youth criminality linked to transnational organized crime in the Nordic and Baltic regions” outcomes

The side event “Responding to Youth Criminality Linked to Transnational Organized Crime in the Nordic and Baltic Regions” was organized by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control...

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27.05.2025 | News item | Access to justice | Criminal justice | Victims of crime

Inbjudan att delta i en studie gällande utvecklingen av användandet av videoinspelade förhör och distansförhör i brottmålsrättegångar (Enhancing Videorecorded Interviews and Virtual Hearings in Europe)

Inbjudan att delta i en studie

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27.05.2025 | News item | Access to justice | Criminal justice | Victims of crime

Kutsu osallistua tutkimukseen: Videotallenteiden ja etäyhteyksien käytön kehittäminen rikosoikeudenkäynneissä

Kutsu osallistua tutkimukseen

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