2024 will prove to be crucial for the advancement of victims’ rights at the European level, due to European elections taking place.
In light of the upcoming EU elections in 2024, we at VSE have been considering how best to use this opportunity to further advance the rights of all victims – no matter the victim, no matter the crime.
Together with the board, we have opted to link the subject of victims’ rights with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By connecting these two subjects, we believe that the importance of victim support can be highlighted more effectively.
Victims of crime need support – emotional, practical, legal and more. This not only helps them recover but also helps them participate in the justice system – addressing their own needs and supporting wider rule of law goals.
Currently sufficient services do not exist, are not practical or are not effectively co-ordinated across a country and with law enforcement. A strategic approach is required as set forth in VSE’s national victim support framework policy paper to ensure these services and authorities who are in contact with victims – such as law enforcement authorities and justice professionals – are equipped with the right tools.
To address this, we call for the development of strong national victim support frameworks, effective access to justice for cross-border victims, involvement of support professionals in policy development, sustainable migration systems, and improved implementation of the European Protection Order.
WE CALL ON MEMBERS OF THE UPCOMING EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO COMMIT TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF VICTIMS RIGHTS!
To use this opportunity appropriately, we have developed a toolkit which you can utilize.
The document contains 3 chapters – 1. ‘Manifesto’, which outlines our wishes and how each can be achieved, 2. ‘Proposals on the advancement of victim support following the 2024 elections’, which outlines how the EU and Members of national governments can collectively make a difference, and 3. ‘Using the 2030 UN SDG’s agenda framework to advance victims’ rights’, which explains how victim support is inextricably linked to the achievement of the SDG’s.
