Since our establishment in 1990, VSE has been at the forefront of victims’ rights advocacy in the European Union. Now with 81 members in over 35 countries, we continue to uphold the importance of victim support, while giving a voice to those who need it the most. But how do we give victims’ rights the platform it deserves? And how do we ensure 2025 is a year where victims’ rights take centre stage?
The European Day for Victims of Crime, which also celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2025, is a momentous annual occasion where victims’ rights are given this well-deserved platform. Taking place at the Press Club in Brussels on February 21st and co-organised with the Polish Presidency, ‘Once Upon a Support: A 35-Year Story of the European Day for Victims of Crime’ brought together collaborators, policymakers and victim support professionals with one shared goal: to reflect on the past 35 years of support and cast a look to what the future may hold.
Opening with welcoming words from Michael McGrath (EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection), Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz (Deputy Minister of Justice of Poland, Polish Presidency), Katarzyna Janicka-Pawlowska (Coordinator for Victims’ Rights, European Commission) and Rosa Jansen (President, Victim Support Europe), an atmosphere of celebration was set, underpinning the significance victims’ rights play in ensuring safe, resilient and thriving societies. Katarzyna provided an exceptional overview of the historical development of the victims’ rights movement in Europe. Her insights offered a thorough analysis.
”‘’Of course, 1990, a very important milestone – the setting up of Victim Support Europe. All of these grassroots movements have been accompanied with legislative changes, both at national and EU level. Here, we have made great progress.’’ – Katarzyna Janicka-Pawlowska
The event then continued with an intervention from Helgard van Hüllen, former Vice President of Victim Support Europe & chair of Landesbüro Bayern-Süd of Weisser Ring. A pivotal figure in the formation of Victim Support Europe, Helgard shared her expertise from 25 years on the frontlines of victim support. She delivered a compelling address, shedding light on critical moments in the history of victims’ rights.
”‘’I remember walking into countless meetings, holding reports filled with heartbreaking testimonies, advocating for legal frameworks, and being told that our cause was noble—but not urgent. Not urgent. But to those who had been robbed of safety, dignity, and peace of mind, urgency was everything. ‘’ – Helgard van Hüllen
Following on from this was a personal testimony from Guillaume Denoix de Saint Marc, Vice President of V-Europe. Guillaume, whose father was a victim in the 1989 UTA flight 772 attack, bravely shared his story of trauma, loss, and resilience.
Panel discussions play an essential role in any of our events, and this occasion was no different. Allowing the space for exchange of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, our first panel tackled the history of the victim support movement. With a distinguished group of speakers – Antony Pemberton (Professor of Restorative Justice at KU Leuven and Professor of Victimology at Tilburg University), João Lázaro (President, APAV), Leena-Kaisa Åberg (Executive Director, RIKU), and Anna Giudice (UNODC), participants had to space to learn from some of the frontrunners in victims’ rights. Speakers reflected on the grassroots beginnings of victim support, and contrasted these beginnings with the now international influence victims’ rights play in global development. During the panel, Anna Giudice responded to the first question by recounting the story of Irene Melup, who had a significant impact on the victims’ rights movement.
”‘’Of course, she was coming with the history of the holocaust and mass victimisation. And with these movements, we’re also building on that history of trauma and what we learn about individual, collective and intergenerational trauma.’’ – Anna Giudice
Toward the end of our story, our second panel shifted the focus from celebrating the past to considering the future. The Victims’ Rights Directive, a key piece of policy which shapes victims’ rights in the EU, was the focus point of this discussion. With moderation from Aleksandra Ivankovic (Deputy Director, VSE) and input from Sławomir Buczma (Justice Counsellor, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union), Katarzyna Janicka-Pawlowska (Coordinator for Victims’ Rights, European Commission), and Levent Altan (Executive Director, VSE), the panel shared their crucial knowledge on the current state of the directive, and how it can be made more comprehensive in the future. Katarzyna announced the forthcoming release of a new EU Victims’ Rights Strategy, which will outline commitments for the next five years. This was an exciting moment for the audience, signalling continued progress in the field.
”''In 2025, we are on a good path to finalise an ambitious revision of the victims' rights directive. I'm also confident that once this is done, we'll be able to look at additional non-legislative actions that will be taken into the new EU strategy for victims' rights.'' - Katarzyna Janicka-Pawlowska
Both the Deputy Minister and the Polish Representative reaffirmed their dedication to advancing victims’ rights, identifying it as one of the major priorities of their presidency.
”‘’First of all, we decided to consider the revision of this directive as our flagship and top priority, which may explain the position of the Polish government to put the individual at the centre.’’ – Slawomir Buczma
Showcasing participant’s enthusiasm for the event, Aleksandra Anikina of HEUNI stated the following. “First of all, huge congratulations on a fantastic event on Friday! I had the chance to tune in online, and it was a pleasure to learn more about historical shifts, hear the powerful human stories, and follow the final panel discussion. The last one ‘Writing the Next Chapter – Reforming the Victims’ Rights Directive’ raised so many thought-provoking and challenging questions.”
In addition to the above, this event served as the launch of our 2025 campaign – ‘The Year of Victims’ Rights’. This campaign seeks to unite citizens, professionals, and politicians to demonstrate why victim support is vital for a sustainable future. Stay tuned for updates soon!
Victim Support Europe extends a warm thank you to everyone who participated and attended.
More pictures from this event can be found here.
Did you miss this event? Don’t worry! The full recording can be accessed here.
