“Reform is possible but requires political will and the inclusion of survivors in decision-making. Victims must not only be heard but empowered to shape the policies that affect them”
Victims of violent crime face not only the trauma of their experiences but often an exhausting and retraumatising fight for justice and support. In Ireland, the long struggle to reform the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (CICT) highlights the urgent need for compensation systems that are fair, timely, and trauma-informed across Europe.
I am a survivor of a random knife attack in 2016 that left me with life-changing injuries. My attacker was convicted of multiple violent offences, including attempted rape and sexual assault, and is now serving the longest sentence ever handed down in the Republic of Ireland for a single offender. Yet, despite this justice, the process of accessing compensation through the CICT was another battle, one that exposed systemic barriers many victims face. The injuries I carry are permanent; they will never fully heal. This reality shapes my daily life and underscores why compensation systems must do more than provide financial redress, they must acknowledge the lasting impact on victims’ lives.
The current system in Ireland is marked by lack of awareness, delays stretching over years, and a lack of victim-centred support. Many victims find the process retraumatising, confusing, and isolating at a time when they need healing and stability. Compensation systems must be designed with trauma-informed principles, recognising the emotional as well as the practical challenges victims endure.
For nearly nine years, I have supported victims navigating this flawed system, both as a survivor and as a CICT Consultant. Through this lived experience and advocacy, I have worked closely with the Law Reform Commission, helping shape much-needed reforms. The goal is a system that is accessible, transparent, and puts victims’ voices at the centre, values I believe are critical for any European compensation framework.
European organisations like Victim Support Europe play a vital role in amplifying victim voices and fostering solidarity. Cross-border cooperation can help ensure national systems learn from each other and adopt best practices that respect victims’ rights and dignity. For example, Ireland’s long delays and procedural gaps demonstrate why timely responses and clear communication must be standard across Europe.
Reform is possible but requires political will and the inclusion of survivors in decision-making. Victims must not only be heard but empowered to shape the policies that affect them. Compensation is not just about financial redress, it is about acknowledging harm, restoring dignity, and supporting recovery.
My experience shows how urgent it is for all of us, survivors, policymakers, support organisations, and governments, to work together toward a better way of navigating everyday life with our injuries. As Ireland’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal reform report and recommendations are expected soon, I hope that this moment signals a turning point for victims here, and inspires European counterparts to strengthen their own systems. Only by placing victims at the heart of reform can we build compensation processes that truly support healing and justice across Europe.
