Police University College is participating in a research project that examines human trafficking as part of organised crime. The project explores the key manifestations of the phenomenon, the related financial flows, and the situation of victims of human trafficking.
The aim of the JR-IHKA project is to describe the connections between human trafficking and organised crime and to provide an overview of the current state of the phenomenon. The research will examine the prerequisites for assessing criminals’ financial gains and money laundering mechanisms, while also analysing victims’ vulnerabilities and international good practices for combating the phenomenon.
The project will provide further information on how human trafficking and organised crime are connected.
“Human trafficking is a serious form of crime, and it is important to gain a better understanding of its links to organised crime and the generation of criminal proceeds. The findings of this research can help improve the identification of human trafficking, crime prevention efforts, and support services for victims,” says Terhi Kankaanranta, Project Manager and Senior Researcher at Police University College.
The results of the project will also support authorities in risk assessment, statistics production, and training.
The project is led by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI). It runs from June 2026 to March 2027 and is a continuation to the earlier research projects concerning organised crime and other serious crime, in which the Police University College has been involved.
