Victims' needs
Every year, an estimated 15% of Europeans or 75 million people in the European Union fall victim to crime. More and more people are travelling, living or studying abroad in another EU country and can become potential victims of crime.
The EU works continuously to ensure that victims receive the support and protection they need, everywhere in the EU.
People falling victim to crime have a range of needs, varying from victim to victim. To meet these needs, all victims must be treated individually. However, the needs of victims can be grouped into 5 broad categories
- respectful treatment and recognition as victims
- protection from intimidation, retaliation and further harm by the accused or suspected and from harm during criminal investigations and court proceedings
- support, including immediate assistance following a crime, longer-term physical and psychological assistance and practical assistance
- access to justice to ensure that victims are aware of their rights and understand them, and are able to participate in proceedings
- compensation and restoration, whether through financial damages paid by the state or by the offender or through mediation or other form of restorative justice
Victims' rights in the EU
The Victims' Rights Directive revised in June 2026, aims to ensure that victims of crime receive appropriate information, support and protection and are able to participate in criminal proceedings.
With the revised Directive, victims will be able to report a crime more easily and will have access to an EU-wide helpline for support and information. Victims’ personal data will also be better protected. This new Directive updates the 2012 Directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.
The revision of the 2012 Victims’ Rights Directive was based on an evaluation and an impact assessment.
EU Member States have to transpose the majority of the provisions of the revised Directive by July 2028.
For victims of certain crimes, the EU adopted specific rules. These rules build on the Victims' Rights Directive but respond more directly to the specific needs of victims of particular crimes. The EU legislation exists to provide protection and support for:
- victims of violence against women and domestic violence,
- victims of human trafficking,
- child victims of sexual exploitation and child pornography,
- victims of terrorism.
In order to assist the national authorities in implementation of the EU rules on victims’ rights, the European Commission set up the EU Centre of Expertise for Victims of Terrorism. The EU Centre offers expertise, training, guidance and support to national authorities and to victim support organisations.
On 24 June 2020, the Commission adopted its first-ever EU strategy on victims’ rights (2020-2025) to ensure that all victims of all crime in the EU can fully benefit from their rights.
Press release: Commission welcomes agreement on stronger EU rules ensuring victims' rights