Marta Baldacci
Thu, 18th of Dec 2024
Amplifying Voices: VSE Launches Victim Platform to Drive Victim-Centred Change
On the 6th of December 2024, the kick-off meeting for the new Victim Platform took place.
The Victims Platform represents a major initiative designed to amplify the voices of victims and adopt a more victim-centred approach within the organisation. This event marked a significant step in VSE’s commitment to directly engaging with victims, ensuring their perspectives play a key role in shaping the organisation’s strategy. The Victim Platform aims to provide a structured space for victims of crime to share their experiences and contribute to making victim support systems more effective, responsive, and inclusive.
The meeting was opened by Levant Altan, Executive Director of VSE, who emphasized the organisation’s dedication to integrating victims’ voices into all aspects of its work. Historically, VSE lacked a dedicated group to interact directly with victims, but with the growth of various teams, it is now in a stronger position to create this platform. The platform’s goal is to allow victims to express their ideas freely, helping shape its priorities and activities. It will serve not only as a space for sharing testimonies but also as a tool for influencing policy reforms, improving support services, and promoting collaboration between victims and victim support organisations.
The meeting encouraged participants to brainstorm and decide the direction of the platform, identifying both immediate actions and long-term goals. VSE stressed the importance of clear communication within the platform and with the wider public. While online communication is convenient, the organisation hopes to host in-person events to deepen engagement and build stronger connections.
Various VSE teams outlined the role of survivors in supporting the platform, including inspiring the VSE’s Training Team, influencing policy and shaping services with the VSE’s Policy Team, raising awareness with the VSE’s Communication Team, and engaging in VSE projects with the VSE’s Project Team.
Looking ahead, VSE plans to host several meetings in 2025, where participants will further shape the platform’s activities, ensuring that the combined efforts of victims and advocates drive meaningful improvements in victim support services and policies.
