Developing Directive-compatible practices for the identification, assessment and referral of victims

The Victims Directive, adopted in 2012, is an important pillar of the European criminal law agenda, whose implementation is expected to come with several challenges (FRA, 2015). The proposed project aims to build the knowledge basis for the effective implementation of the Victims’ Directive by proposing model practices for institutions in three critical aspects of victim’s rights: a) victim identification b) individual assessment of victims’ needs (including special protection needs) and c) networking and referral practices between institutions involved in victim support and protection.

The project builds on these needs and aspires to contribute to the effective implementation of the Victims’ Directive by identifying and disseminating knowledge and building capacity on practices compatible with the standards set in the Directive in three critical topics: victim identification (status of victim), individual assessment of victims’ needs (including special protection needs) and networking and referral practices between institutions involved in victim support. The specific objectives of the project are to:

• identify and disseminate model practices for victim identification, individualized needs assessment and referral mechanisms compatible with the standards set in the Directive and transferrable across criminal justice systems;
• to build the capacity of victim support institutions in the participating countries and across Europe in using these practices;
• to encourage the exchange of knowledge, good practice and networking at national and transnational level.

The project addresses three target groups a) national policy makers involved in transposing and implementing the Victims Directive in the partner countries; b) law enforcement officials that come into first contact with victims; c) other professionals offering services to victims (victim support services, health services) including NGOs involved in victim support services. The project addresses these target groups directly in the five partner countries involved in the project and indirectly in the countries that will participate in networking activities and will receive the project deliverables.