“Prioritising Victims Needs anda Balanced Response”

Hello Latvia !

David McKennaPresident, Victim Support Europe

21 February 2013

#cietušiem // #victimslatvia // @providusConference is organized within project “Support for Victims of Crime: Substantial or Nominal. Latvia and Beyond”. Project is financed by European Union

Victims’ Legal Status

• 1950 European Convention on Human Rights

• 1985 UN declaration of basic rights for victims of crime and abuse of power

• 2000 EU Charter for Fundamental Rights

• 2001 EU framework decision on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings

• 2012 Directive on minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime

Victim Support Europe

• 29 Members

• 22 countries

• Nearly 3,000 paid staff

• Towards 20,000 volunteers

• Working with 2 million victims

Crime Hurts . . . in the EU!

• 75 million people affected by crime

• Tens of thousands killed

• Millions suffer violence

• Many millions robbed / theft

• Real evidence of damage and trauma

Needs of Victims

• Safety

• Security

• Support

• Prevention

• Information

• Compensation

• Restorative Justice

Impact of Victimisation

Fear Emotional

AngerFinancial

Guilt Justice

Isolation Health

Reduced confidence Family

Criminal Community

Supporting Victims

• Independent Services

• Free

• Confidential

• Trained Personnel

• Non-judgemental

Benefits of Helping Victims

• Reduced crime / Re-victimisation

• Improved confidence in C.J.S.

• Less demand on health services

• Reduced fear of crime

• More effective C.J. system

Thank you !

Questions ?