Seminar Infovictims: Innovation in promoting victims’ rights | April 7th 2016 | Porto

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The Seminar Infovictims: Innovation in promoting victims’ rights will take place in Porto, on the 7th of April 2016, at the Atmosfera M.

This Seminar is developed under Project Infovictims II (co-financed by the Criminal Justice Programme of the European Union), promoted by the
Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) in partnership with Victim Support Scotland (Scotland), Subvenia Victima (Poland), Weisser Ring Germany (Germany), Weisser Ring Austria (Austria), Victim Support Europe, Public Security Police (PSP) and the Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ).

We are living in a crosscutting moment in what concerns the rights and support to victims of crime. This paradigm shift, mostly in result of the EU Member States implementation of the Directive of the Parliament and of the Council establishing minimum standards on rights, support and protection of victims, brought additional challenges and an urgent need for (re) adaptations on both the criminal justice system and on victim support services.

At the same time, the growing importance of the information and communications technologies triggered the promotion of new victim support models. These new models are mainly focused on the search for innovative responses and services closer to victims, their families and friends.

What is the state of the art concerning victims’ rights in Europe? Which are the most pressing challenges?

Which innovative ways are Member States drawing to improve the provision of information, support and manner of dealing with victims?

How to reach even more victims? Which new forms of providing information and support are raising in the field?

In Seminar Infovictims: Innovation in promoting victims’ rights we will analyse the state of the art concerning victims’ rights in Portugal and in Europe, as well as reflect on innovative aspects and effective ways of providing information, support and protection to victims of crime.

Save this date and guarantee your presence by registering at:

apav.pt/infovictims2016

European Day for Victims of Crime: APAV presents new report and new raising awareness campaign

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To mark the European Day for Victims of Crime, February 22nd, APAV presented the report “Victim Support Line Statistics | Nov_2014 / Dec_2015” and a new raising awareness campaign.

The Victim Support Line - 116 006 – is a phone number to support European victims and is a free and confidential service, adequate to the needs of each victim of crime and / or violence. This service works with a network of partnerships of the judicial and police authorities, enabling a fast forwarding of the victim's case to the competent entities.

The awareness campaign was developed by the agency Human, in the aim of promoting the Victim Support Line.

 

UN Conference on Human Rights of Victims of Terrorism

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João Lázaro represented Victim Support Europe (VSE) at The UN Conference on Human Rights of Victims of Terrorism that took place on Thursday 11 February at the United Nations Headquarters.

The Conference, organised by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) gathered experts from civil society, academia as well as regional and international organisations. The conference aimed to examine how States can strengthen their national legislation, procedures and practices, based on the report on the “Framework Principles for Securing the Human rights of Victim of Terrorism” (A/HRC/20/14) by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

VSE’s President João Lazaro cautioned against the instrumentalisation of victims within the counter radicalisation narrative. As Sue O’Sullivan, Canadian Federal Ombudsman for victim of crime mentioned, some victims might want to tell their story to make sure the same doesn’t happen to others. These victims want to be part of solution but should always be given the choice whether or not to engage in this counter-narrative. Above all the well-being and safety of the victim should remain the key priority when developing the counter-narrative. ‘We should always put the Support for victims of terrorism and their families first.’

Victim Support Europe launches new website

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Victim Support Europe launches a new website: www.victimsupport.eu.

The new VSE website provides information about the organization and its members, victim support, events, publications and how to help. The site also includes news regularly updated, as well as links to social networks.
VSE brings together organizations to support existing victim in Europe, from 26 different countries.

Please visit here:
www.victimsupport.eu

Victim Support Europe 2016 Annual Conference | May 25th and 26th | Utrecht

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The Victim Support Europe 2016 Annual Conference "Taking victim support to the next level: Connect & Commit" will take place on May 25 and 26 at the Muntgebouw in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The 2016 Annual Conference will focus on two basic ideas: connect and commit. There is a pressing need for victim support organisations in Europe toconnectwith each other throughout Europe and with organizations in the criminal justice system, specialist organizations decision makers, in their countries and Europe-wide.

In a moment when the European Union faces the need to appropriately implement the Victims’ Directive this is even more important to foster this connection, in order to reach the minimum standards set and surpass them with the best protection level possible for victims of crime in mind.

For that same purpose, governments should commit themselves to facilitate the work of the victim support organisations in their country.

This conference is an opportunity to connect victim support practitioners, policy makers and academics.

Information and registration:
www.vse2016.eu

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