Victim’s rights checklist
The rights of victims of crime to safety, protection and support are essential to ensure their well-being and enable them to recover from traumatic experiences. The Victims' Directive (2012/29/EU) guarantees that everyone has the same rights in the criminal process, regardless of citizenship or right of residence (including those who are in the country illegally). These rights include, for example, the right to interpretation, translations and support services for victims of crime.
Initiating child protection measures, informing about shelters, assisting in financial matters, ensuring safe housing, protecting personal data and providing immediate crisis assistance and psychosocial support are essential issues in securing these rights. By prioritizing these rights, society can better meet the needs of victims, promote their recovery, and help them cope and become empowered.
The police must act as follows:
* = if this task does not belong to another party
- Tell the victim about the shelter and direct them to the shelter if necessary.
- Initiate child protection measures if this has not already been done.
- File a criminal report if you haven't done so yet.
- With the consent of the victim, contact the support services that offer help.
- It would be important that all relevant parties are invited to participate in a multi-professional risk assessment process.
- Document the risk assessment information and keep it confidential.
- Tell the victim about the restraining order and, if necessary, order a temporary restraining order.
- The police can be asked to inform the moment when the perpetrator is contacted or, if the perpetrator is imprisoned, the moment when he is released.
- Make a safety plan with the victim*.
- If necessary, refer the victim to health care so that he receives treatment and the injuries are documented.
- Refer the victim to social services based on their support needs.
- You can ask the police for help and consultation regarding possible security arrangements.
- Helps the perpetrator within the scope of services intended for perpetrators of intimate partner violence*.
The social workers should:
- If there is an immediate or even likely risk to the safety of the victim or any children, consider contacting the police.
- Initiate child protection procedures if not yet done.
- Inform the victim about shelters and guide the victim to a shelter if needed.
- Help the victim solve financial problems.
- Secure safe housing for the victim.
- Assist the victim in protecting her/his/their personal data.
- Assist the victim in getting immediate crisis help and psychosocial support.
The health care staff should:
- Always examine the patient without their family members or spouse being present.
- Assist the victim in receiving immediate crisis help and psychosocial support.
- If there is an immediate risk to the safety of the patient or any children, consider contacting the police.
- Initiate child protection procedures if not yet done.
- Ask for the victim’s consent before letting in any visitors.
