Anna Ovaska, LL.M., is the Deputy Director and Legal Specialist at Protect Children.
In her role, Anna works extensively on the topic of preventing sexual violence against children. Within her capacity, she leads the daily operations of Protect Children. She also contributes to the comprehensive prevention of all crimes of sexual violence against children by engaging in research, legislative analysis, and the drafting of statements and papers. Anna is deeply committed to evaluating, scrutinizing, and enhancing legal frameworks to ensure stronger protection for children globally, driven by a strong sense of justice and a dedication to safeguarding the vulnerable.
Anna has authored and co-authored numerous national and international communications, research reports, and academic papers focusing on children's rights and sexual violence prevention.
Specializing in international criminal law and crimes against children, her particular interest lies in interpreting laws amidst ongoing technological advancements, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable legislation in child protection. Apart from her advocacy efforts, Anna is an experienced lecturer, delivering training sessions and lectures on children's rights with a particular emphasis on the prevention of sexual violence. She strongly advocates for collective action, stressing the importance of global collaboration among States to ensure meaningful and enduring change in protecting children, especially considering the risks posed by evolving technologies, which can facilitate sexual violence against children irrespective of geographical boundaries. Anna is committed to contributing to the advancement of children's rights worldwide.
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5/8/24
Helsingin Sanomat
Sun ja mun salaisuus. Groomaajat houkuttelevat alaikäisiä seksuaaliväkivallan uhreiksi salakavalilla tavoilla. Monet lapset pitävät normaalina toimintaa, joka voi ajaa hänet rikoksen uhriksi.
4/5/24
Rochester Institute of Technology
New study investigates illegal child sexual abuse material and anonymity on Tor network
4/4/24
Mirage News
Users Seek, Share Child Abuse Content on Tor, Help Available
4/4/24
ScienMag
Users actively seek and share child sexual abuse material on Tor – but help is available to those willing to stop
4/4/24
The New Voice of Ukraine
Каждый пятый. Исследователи выяснили, сколько сайтов в Tor распространяют материалы о насилии над детьми
4/4/24
The New Voice of Ukraine
Кожен п’ятий. Дослідники з’ясували, скільки сайтів у Tor поширюють матеріали про насильство над дітьми
4/3/24
MedicalXpress
Users actively seek and share child sexual abuse material on Tor, but help is available to those willing to stop
11/1/23
Yle
Hälyttävä tutkimustulos: lapsiin kohdistuvaa seksuaaliväkivaltamateriaalia liikkuu suosituilla verkkoalustoilla
11/1/23
Yle Svenska
Alarmerande forskning: Sexuellt våld mot barn sprids på populära onlineplattformar
7/19/23
Helsingin Sanomat
Lasten hyväksikäyttöä selvittänyt tutkimus paljastaa hälyttävää tietoa suomalaisista
4/7/23
Stern
Wer im Darknet nach Missbrauchsbildern suchte, landete bei einer Umfrage. Einblick in die erschütternden Antworten
3/28/23
EURACTIV
Child sexual abuse material: Half of viewers then contact children, study finds
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2/17/23
Yle
Järjestö: Poliisin resurssit eivät riitä lapsiin kohdistuvien seksuaalirikosten tutkintaan, ja rikosprosessitkin venyvät vuosien mittaisiksi
8/29/22
Ilta-Sanomat
Pimeä verkko edistää pedofiilien toimintaa
3/1/22
The Guardian
Viewers of online abuse at high risk of contacting children directly, study finds
2/1/22
Turun Sanomat
Tutkimus: Seksuaaliväkivaltakuvien kuluttajista suomalaiset muita suurempi riski lapsille myös netin ulkopuolella
11/21/21
SafeToNet Foundation
CSAM Users in the Dark Web with Tegan Insoll and Anna Ovaska, Protect Children
9/27/21
Yle
Valtaosa lasten hyväksikäyttöä netissä katselevista aloittaa hyvin nuorena, kertoo tuore tutkimus – "Näin sitä 11-vuotiaana, ja nyt on syyllinen olo"
9/27/21
The Guardian
Online child abuse survey finds third of viewers attempt contact with children
9/27/21
Yle
"I don't know how to stop": Finnish initiative offers self-help for people viewing sexually exploitative images of children
Media appearances
General
Offender-focused research and prevention
Supporting victims, survivors and families
Children’s safety and emotion skills education