Victims - Support and assistance (2nd edition) (2008)

True justice depends not only on states' ability to prosecute the perpetrators of a crime, but also on their capacity to restore the situation of victims. For over fifty years, the Council of Europe has contributed to building a common legal area based on the respect of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The fight against crime has been at the heart of these efforts. Since the 1980s, the Council of Europe has integrated the victims' perspective in its work in this field and has produced and updated a set of legal instruments to assist states in dealing with victims' needs. This publication brings together these standards. It is intended to provide a handy, comprehensive reference document.

Foreword Council of Europe conventions European Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes (ETS No. 116) Explanatory Report Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (ETS No. 196) Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ETS No. 197) Committee of Ministers Recommendation Rec(2006)8 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on assistance to crime victims Explanatory memorandum Recommendation Rec(2005)9 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the protection of witnesses and collaborators of justice Guidelines on the Protection of Victims of Terrorist Acts (2005) Recommendation Rec(2002)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the protection of women against violence Recommendation No. R (2000) 11 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on action against trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation Recommendation No. R (99) 19 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning Mediation in Penal Matters Recommendation No. R (97) 13 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning Intimidation of Witnesses and the Rights of the Defence Recommendation No. R (96) 8 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Crime Policy in Europe in a Time of Change Recommendation No. R (91) 11 of the Committee of Ministers to member states concerning Sexual Exploitation, Pornography and Prostitution of, and Trafficking in, Children and Young Adults Recommendation No. R (85) 11 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the Position of the Victim in the Framework of Criminal Law and Procedure Recommendation No. R (83) 7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on Participation of the Public in Crime Policy Ministerial resolutions Resolution No. 1 on Victims of Crime Resolution No. 2 on The Social Mission of the Criminal Justice System - Restorative Justice Resolution on the prevention of everyday violence in Europe 262 Expert Report Victims of Terrorism - Policies and Legislation in Europe: an Overview on Victim-Related Assistance and Support Contacts Institutions and organisations responsible for victims