Rights, support and protection of victims of crime

Victim Support Northern Ireland (Victim Support NI) provides practical and emotional support to persons affected by crime across Northern Ireland, regardless of where that crime originates or at what point in history. The organisation has supported victims since its foundation in 1981.

This joint feedback by the European Prison Litigation Network and Forum Penal Associação de Advogados Penalistas focus on proposing a series of changes to the proposed directive to further strengthen the protection of victims of crime in detention.

The European Network of Migrant Women Brings attention to the specific situation of migrant, asylum seeking and refugee women when accessing their rights. While the proposal for the revision of the Directive includes provisions related to ensuring undocumented migrants safe spaces to denounce violations of their rights, they are not sufficient.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

As administrator of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, I support his proposals to amend the Directive with a view to consolidating the place and added value of restorative justice in the field of law and victim support. In addition, I am also director of the mediante association, Service de justice restauratrice operating in all French-speaking judicial districts of Belgium.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

eLiberare is a Romanian organization focused on preventing trafficking in human beings & sexual exploitation (THB). Our priorities include a comprehensive approach to combating THB through prevention education, capacity building, providing assistance through our four Regional Centers for Assistance and Information for the Detection of Human Trafficking Cases, and through conducting advocacy work, forging connections…

Victim Support Europe (VSE) is the leading European umbrella organisation advocating on behalf of all victims of crime, no matter what the crime, no matter who the victim is. VSE represents 78 member organisations, providing support and information to more than 2.5 million people affected by crime every year in 36 countries.

Born Free welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback. As a conservation and animal protection NGO, our input focuses on the right of victims of environmental crimes. It is crucial that the new Directive ensures that victims of crimes benefit from the same rights across the EU, and not only in countries where such rights already exist.

Validity Foundation and European Network on Independent Living welcome the redraft of the Victims' Rights Directive and the explicit recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities. We are attaching a joint submission setting out our position and our assessment that the rights of persons with disabilities are not adequately reflected in the Directive .

Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE), the largest European Network of Women Specialist Services (WSS) representing over 1,600 women's organizations across 46 European countries through its 170 members, welcomes the European Commission's (EC) proposal to revise the Victims Rights Directive (VRD).

The Center for Reproductive Rights welcomes the proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA.

The French International Prisons Observatory (hereinafter ‘OIP-SF’) is an association loi 1901 which has consultative status with the United Nations. Created in 1996, he observed the conditions of detention in French prisons, through a thorough investigation, carried out with the help of intramural correspondents.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

In the view of the Service Bureau for Victim-Offender Mediation and Conflict Resolution by DBH - German Association for Social Work, Criminal Law and Crime Policy (DBH-Fachverband e.V.), the EU Directive COM (2023) 424: Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and…

The End FGM European Network strongly welcomes the Commissions proposal to amend Directive 2012/29/EU. The proposed Directive represents a strong instrument for survivors/victims of female genital mutilation living in Europe, and strengthening its provisions will ensure a more adequate approach to supporting victims of gender-based violence such as FGM. Please see our full feedback attached.

The European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) very much welcomes the European Commissions proposed amendments to the Victims Rights Directive (hereinafter VRD) that we consider a step forward in strengthening the rights, protection and support of victims in the EU. However, we are concerned about the missed opportunity to include a more ambitious revision of the restorative justice provisions in the VRD.

Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children connecting 32 European organisations committed to prevent that children go missing and to protect them from any harm that leads to or results from going missing.

The Victims Rights Directive, has provided a positive mechanism for improved rights and better supports for victims throughout Europe and has brought about positive change in many areas within the criminal justice system, prior to which, many victims had no rights and no voice.

AGE Platform Europe welcomes the revision of the Victims Rights Directive and its focus on protecting the rights of victims, including improving access to support, information and safety for vulnerable victims, such as older people. We also align ourselves with the detailed comments made by Victim Support Europe.

The Child Friendly Justice European Network (CFJ-EN) welcomes the revision of this Victims Rights Directive of 2012. Yet there are still several missed opportunities on strengthening child-friendly access to justice in a clear and promising manner.

As coordinators of the EU project VISA RoC on safe reporting of crime of victims with irregular migration status, we would like to make the following comments on the European Commission proposal for the reform of the Victims Rights Directive.

Third and final parts (now Article 12) 3. It is also necessary to specify that it may be carried out not only by the competent authority, but by any service that comes into contact with the victim and that it may also be self-recourse to the service, so as to give the victim autonomy and decision-making power in relation to their own needs and needs.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Second PART WITH Article 2, amend subparagraph (d) in line with subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, which affect persons and consequences rather than on legal labels. V. Recommendation 2018: Restorative justice refers to any process that enables persons who suffer harm as a result of a criminal offence and those responsible for such harm, if freely consented to, to participate actively in the resolution of the issues…

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

First PART A first general call is for the European Commission to make more meaningful the presence of restorative justice (hereinafter RJ) within the Victims Directive (hereinafter VRD), so that all victims can access the service consistently across the EU.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

According to evidence that show the incidence and prevalence of corporate, state or institutional victimisation, beyond interpersonal violence or crime, the reform of the Directive should include specific provisions for the protection, justice and reparation for this kind of victims, with a broader conception of victims (beyond human beings).

Dear representatives of the European Union, We are contacting you with important feedback regarding the draft directive on the rights of victims. We would like to draw your attention to a fundamental deficiency in this directive, namely the absence of the inclusion of the victims' right to restorative justice.

INTRODUCTION The Scientific Society for Restorative Justice emerged in Spain in 2010 and now we have delegates in different parts of Latin America. As an entity we have advised the European Commission in the preparation of the 2012 directive. We also advise the Spanish Ministry of Justice for the implementation of this directive and other regulations on restorative justice.

Empirical research has showed in Spain that the right to information on victims' rights should be improved in terms of format (to adapt to different victims' needs and profiles) as well as content, also to assure an equal quality of services in all territories. A copy and paste of the text of the Directive to be handed to victims is not enough.

Restorative justice (RJ) is a process with extremely well-evidenced benefits for victims of crime, including high levels of satisfaction compared with court, and a strong ability to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms after serious personal offences. Governments of all Member States have previously agreed, through the Council of Europe (i.e.

Effective response to violence against women (VAW) shall be a key priority aim and action for the EU. NANE Association, together with PATENT (People Opposing Patriarchy) Association and Hungarian Women’s Lobby believes that there is an essential need for diligently and specifically strengthening and safeguarding the rights, protection and support for victims of violence against women and girls, as well as for the…

ESWA welcomes the Commission’s initiative to revise the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. ESWA supports Option 2) b) Legislative initiative amending the Victims’ Rights Directive - Broader scope of the legislative amendments. Access to justice for sex workers in Europe is a considerable challenge and a key area of wok for ESWA.

Child Circle asbl is a non-profit centre of expertise and action on child rights and child protection in EU policy and law. Based in Brussels, we provide policy recommendations and partner with a wide number of organisations on European projects, concerning, inter alia, child victims in criminal proceedings.

Carthanas e.V. is a support and self-help organisation of victims of violence for victims of violence. This will make it possible for those affected to participate directly in order to extend the quality of the previous aid organisation system through the important aspect of the perspective. Victims of violence are best placed to talk about their problem, wishes and needs.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people, and we believe that an equal everyday is a better everyday. Equal treatment and a shared responsibility for both people and planet are deeply rooted in our culture and values. At Ingka Group, we welcome the Commission’s initiative to revise the EU Victims’ Rights Directive.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands welcomes the initiative to revise EU legislation on victims’ rights to ensure a stronger, more holistic approach to ensure the rights of the victims of crime, including particularly vulnerable child victims.

>>Challenges: GISAD welcomes the European Commission's initiative to strengthen victims' rights in criminal cases. GISAD has already taken an extensive position on child abuse at http://gisad.eu/en-eu-initiative-combating-child-sexual-abuse-review-of-eu-rules/ .

On behalf of APAV, Victim Support Portugal, a non-governmental organization with 30 years in the field supporting victims in Portugal and beyond, we give feedback in support of a broader scope of the legislative amendments (sub-option B). It is true that the Victims Directive has proven to be very beneficial for victims and those working for them.

Supporting Option 2)b) Legislative initiative amending the Victims’ Rights Directive - Broader scope of the legislative amendments, for the following reasons: - Research and practical experience has shown lack of full implementation of the Victims Directive, lack of effective training of professionals and awareness raising, many challenges in victim support system, lack of evaluation/quality assurance, resulting in…

Although in Germany a modern legal regulation will be available in 2024 (Social Law XIV - Sozialgesetzbuch XIV), it is already clear that many victims will be unable not be able to assert their claim for compensation to crime victims and obtain compensation. We welcome the Commission's initiative to revise and modernise the victims’ rights acquis.

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is concerned that EU Member States do not effectively ensure the rights of victims’ with disabilities enshrined in the Victims’ Rights Directive and the CRPD. The following key issues, have been identified: • Lack of information about what constitute a crime and how to report, particularly affecting people living in closed settings such as institutions, persons with intellectual…

If the EU aims to improve the situation of victims of crime, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the EU should focus on preventing violence against women and their children. This must be a key strategic priority both presently and in the future.

According to the experience of ASSOCIAZIONE RETE DAFNE (an Italian general victim support organization) in providing support services to victims of all crime, we consider very important to amend the EU Victims’ Rights Directive according to Sub-option (b) - (Broader scope of the legislative amendments).

The Bundesverband ANUAS e.V. warmly welcomes the initiative to improve the situation of victims. With the attached contribution, ANUAS hopes to provide extensive guidance, from the perspective of the persons concerned, in order to make the EU Directive more concrete and thus enable victims to have better access to their rights. Thank you very much for the possibility of participating in this initiative.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service, ITAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s initiative to revise the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. ITAS supports Option 2)b) Legislative initiative amending the Victims’ Rights Directive - Broader scope of the legislative amendments. Victims who are tourists require immediate intervention due to their specific needs and challenges.

Victim Support Europe welcomes the Commission’s initiative to revise the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. VSE supports Option 2)b) Legislative initiative amending the Victims’ Rights Directive - Broader scope of the legislative amendments, for the following reasons: - While the Victims’ Rights Directive has been a crucial instrument and has proven to be very beneficial for victims and those working for them, there are…

Please refer to the content of the uploaded document in annex. As a national organisation of victim support, WEISSE RING considers, for the reasons set out in the Annex, that the content of the EU Directive on Victims’ Rights (Directive 2012/29/EU) needs to be adapted and specified according to option 2 (legislative initiatives amending the Victims’ Rights Directive), sub-option (b) (large scope of legislative…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Support to victims, such as victim counselling and psychotherapy, must ensure that the costs of qualified translation and interpretation services are covered. Only if they do not know the language of the country in which they were victims or in which the proceedings are taking place will they actually have access to these support services.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking out of the perspective of a project coordinator aimed at enhancing the right to individual needs' assessment and in particular enhancing this right to child victims of crime, I'd like to point out the following: - the individual needs assessment procedure (Art.

As a non-governmental organization representing several NGOs, the International Road Victims’ Partnership (IRVP) would like to see the EU Victims’ Rights Directive amended according to Sub-option (b) (Broader scope of the legislative amendments).

Considering that the directive imposed the obligation to ensure that access to any victim support services is not dependent on a victim making a formal complaint with regard to a criminal offence to a competent authority, we believe that it would be useful for the future instrument to pay special attention to explaining how the term is understood and used in the extrajudicial procedures to which it refers to.

Tackling and preventing violence against women (VAW) and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

As a non-governmental organization being responsible for organizing the general victim services in Finland, Victim Support Finland (RIKU) thinks it to be important to amend the EU Victims’ Rights Directive (VRD) according to Sub-option (b) (Broader scope of the legislative amendments).

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On behalf of WEISSER RING, Austria, a private, general victim-support organisation, I give feedback in support of a broader scope of the legislative amendments (Sub-option B). Such a step would strengthen the rights of victims and facilitate easier help for victims in need.

EWL believes that the current EU framework on victims’ rights does not fully grant their rights to victims of male violence against women and girls (VAWG). EWL calls for a comprehensive EU framework to ensure equal levels of protection and access to justice for all victims of VAWG, including child victims, all centered in a Directive.

Tackling and preventing violence against women and their children must be a key strategic priority now and in the future, if the EU aims to improve the situation of crime victims, particularly in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) welcomes this initiative on the Revision of the EU victims’ rights acquis. The EFRJ participated to the evaluation of the Victim’s Rights Directive (VRD) by submitting a position paper on the evaluation of the implementation of the restorative justice (RJ) provisions of the VRD.

As a representative of the LGBTI community and someone who works in a human rights NGO, I can say that victims of crimes motivated by the actual or assumed sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of the victim are facing obstacles in access to victims protections when the crime is characterised in a way that conceals the bias motivation and that categorises the crime a subject to private prosecution.

Intersex persons, i.e., persons born with a variation of sex characteristic, are at high risk of becoming victims of gender-based and domestic violence as well as bias motivated hate speech and hate crime. Intersex persons' personal accounts and an increasing number of research reports on the lived situation of intersex people, show the high degree of discrimination, violence and hate-motivated acts intersex…

Victims of crime are still not protected against those who break the law and those who commit crimes against us. (1) Firstly, the Directive's own definition of victim, as set out in Article 2.1.a), is not respected.