Assisting Victim Supporters in the E.U.: Lessons on Training

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Prioritization of victims’ rights in the European Union (EU) has been an ongoing process since 1985. Although throughout the years documents have obliged member states to
obey the established standards set by the EU, previous studies have demonstrated that not all member states are in complete compliance. One of the areas is training for victim support providers. The main objective of the current
project was to carry out a needs assessment with different professionals that provide support and assistance to victims of crime in the European Union. Main findings include, the need for: different methods among countries for training programmes, more structured training materials, cross cultural victimization programmes, across country collaboration, and more resources. Future research should continue to identify needs in training and assess, more thoroughly, the current training programmes.

Authors

• Rebecca Hayes, Central Michigan University

• Jerina Joostens, KU-Leuven

• Levent Altan, Victim Support Europe