2023 is a crucial year for victims’ rights. It has been 10 years since the 2012 Victims’ Rights Directive (VRD) was adopted. This year, we are likely to see a proposal by the European Commission to improve the VRD. We await the publication of that Directive with great impatience!
“Why?”, you might ask.
Despite progress, the revision of the Directive is sorely needed. VSE’s preliminary findings from the BENEVICT project, which examined the implementation of the Victims’ Rights Directive across the 27 EU Member States, has highlighted the many problems victims face when seeking justice, accessing support and in the way they are treated.
We hear repeated testimonies from victims about the terrible experiences they have had when reporting a crime, or during the criminal proceedings.
These are truly sad indictments of our responses to victimisation. But the most serious indictment will be our failure to address these problems when we know they exist.
To stand still, without assessing, without evaluating and without improving is to fail victims. There is no shame in reviewing our work and laws, and being open about the challenges and about the change that is needed.
One year ahead of the European Parliament election, we call on politicians, policymakers, practitioners, and every person to stand as one for victims and to support the publication of the revised Victims’ Rights Directive to ensure that no victim is forgotten or remains voiceless!
