Luxembourg, 13 June 2024 12:45
To ensure that all victims of crime in the EU receive the appropriate support, the Council agreed its position (general approach) on a proposed update to the 2012 Victims’ Rights Directive. This update will establish and strengthen minimum rules to ensure that victims of a crime receive protection, support and access to information and can seek justice.
Victims of crime deserve society’s full support. Thanks to targeted and integrated support services for child victims, an EU-wide helpline and the right to receive emotional support in court we are taking another important step to honour this obligation.
Paul Van Tigchelt, Minister of Justice
Crime reporting, access to support services and support on court premises
In order to facilitate access to justice, member states will have to ensure that victims can report criminal offences through easily accessible, user-friendly information and communication technologies. This possibility should, where feasible, include the submission of evidence.
In addition, victims will have to be contacted by the relevant general or specialist support services if an individual assessment reveals a need for support. This will, however, require the victim to consent or request that support.
Member states will also have to guarantee that victims receive general information on the organisational aspects of the trial phase in criminal court proceedings and emotional support on the court premises. That information and support will need to be provided in accordance with victims’ individual needs.
Victims’ helpline
In order to make it easier for victims to access information about their rights and how to exercise those rights, member states have decided to put in place an easily accessible, user friendly, free of charge and confidential victim helpline. This helpline will be reachable through an EU-wide harmonised phone number, 116 006. Member states may also choose to provide the helpline service through other means (such as live chats).
The helpline will be available in the official language(s) of the member state and – depending on the country – at least one widely-used language.
Support for children
The updated victims’ rights directive also pays special attention to the needs of children as victims of crime. Member states will have to ensure the availability of child-friendly and age-appropriate support and protection services.
Targeted and integrated support services will provide for a coordinated multi-agency mechanism for child victims that will include medical examination, emotional and psychological support, the possibility of crime reporting, the individual assessment of protection and support needs and the possibility of video recording of testimonies of child victims.
Next steps
On the basis of the general approach the Council will be able to enter into negotiations with the European Parliament, which established its position in April 2024, in order to agree on a final legislative text.
Background
In 2012 the EU adopted a directive to establish minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. A recent evaluation report came to the conclusion that the directive broadly delivered the expected benefits for victims of crime but also identified a number of shortcomings. In replying to these shortcomings, the revision – which the European Commission presented on 12 July 2023 – aims to improve victims’ access to information and to enhance safety measures tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable victims.