- VICTIM SUPPORT
- THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIME
- Victims right to understand and to be understood
- Right to receive information from the very first contact with the competent authority
- Victims’ rights when making a complaint
- Victims’ right to receive information about their case
- The right to translation
- The right to access victim support services
- Support from victim support services
- Right to safeguards in terms of restorative justice services
- Victims’ rights who reside in another EU member state
- Right to avoid contact between victim and offender
- Victim protection during the criminal investigation
- Protection of private life
- Individual assessment of victims- Special protection
- Right to protection of victims with special needs during criminal proceedings
- Rights of the witness of crime
- CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS
- WHO IS WHO IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
- I WAS A VICTIM OF CRIME: COMMON REACTIONS
Support from victim support services
(according to Article 62 of Law 4478/2017)
What kind of support can the victim receive from the services? What advice, from where, and how?
Despite that fact that, in Greece, there is no single body that provides these services to all victims of crime covering the entire territory of Greece, the legal framework is adequate and outlines the State’s obligation to provide free victim support services. Special support services should be based on an integrated and targeted approach, taking into account, in particular, the specific needs of victims, the seriousness of the harm suffered as a result of the offence, and the relationship between victims, the offenders, the children, and their wider community. A key duty of these services and their staff, who play a key role in supporting victims to recover from and overcome the harm or trauma they may have suffered as a result of the offence, should be to inform victims of the rights set out in this Law so that victims can make decisions in a supportive environment that treats them with dignity, respect, and sensitivity.
According to article 62 of Law 4478/2017, the support and care services provided to the victim, at minimum, include the following:
- (a) information, advice and support on the exercise of the victim’s rights, including the possibility of claiming compensation for harm suffered as a result of the offence, and on how to participate in criminal proceedings, either as a civil claimant or as a witness,
- (b) information about or direct referral to existing relevant special support services;
- c) emotional and psychological support;
- (d) advice on financial and practical matters arising from the crime;
- (e) advice on the risk and prevention of secondary and recurrent victimization, bullying and retaliation, unless otherwise provided by other public or private services.
2. Victim support and care services should pay particular attention to the specific needs of the victim who has suffered significant harm as a result of the seriousness of the crime.
3. Except for cases in which they are otherwise provided by other public or private services, special victim support and care services shall provide, at minimum, the following:
- (a) reception centers or other appropriate temporary accommodation for a victim who needs a safe place to stay because of an imminent risk of secondary and repeated victimization, intimidation and retaliation;
- (b) targeted and comprehensive support for the victim with special needs, such as the victim of racist violence, sexual violence, violence based on gender identity or characteristics, and violence in close interpersonal relationships, including post trauma support and counselling.