BRUSSELS, 12 Jul. () –
The European Commission has proposed this Wednesday a revision of the directive on victims of crime to reinforce their protection throughout the European Union, for example, ensuring psychological assistance for the most vulnerable victims or guaranteeing that they receive the compensation that corresponds to them through an advance from the State up to that the offender assumes the payment.
The vice president of the Community Executive in charge of the rule of law, Vera Jourova, has estimated the number of victims of serious crimes each year in the European Union at “some 75 million people” and warned of the need to “strengthen their rights”. “We work closely with those who assist victims and really know what they need,” said Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders.
The reform, which must first be negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council to see the light, proposes that it be the State that directly pays the compensation that corresponds to the victim when the criminal procedure is resolved, without waiting for him to resort to another trial to claim it or for the author to proceed with the payment of compensation. Brussels believes that the State should advance the payment and be reimbursed later by the author.
Another novelty is ensuring that victims are well informed of their rights and have the necessary resources to report a crime, including a single telephone number, 116006, active throughout the European Union.
The new standard should also improve security measures tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable victims (for example, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, victims of hate crimes or detained victims).
To do this, community services request a better assessment on a case-by-case basis of the protection needs of each victim from the first contact established with the authorities and that the list of possible protection measures be expanded, such as protection orders or police presence.
Likewise, the Community proposal proposes guarantees of access for vulnerable victims to specialized assistance services, for example free psychological assistance for the time necessary depending on the particular needs of the victim.
