Source: European Parliament
On 12 July 2023, the Commission published its proposal for a revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive, the key EU legislation on the protection of the rights of victims of crime. In Parliament, the file was handled by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) under the joint committee procedure. The text, agreed by the Council and Parliament on 10 December 2025, requires Member States to put in place victims’ helplines to facilitate the reporting of criminal offences by victims and third parties, ensure access to legal aid for those who need it and ensure compensation for victims through the adoption of execution measures and enforcement measures. Support services for victims with specific needs will need to be made available and access to child-friendly services will need to be ensured for child victims. Victims’ personal data will also need to be protected.
Revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive [Policy Podcast]
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
crime against individuals
criminal proceedings
European construction
gender-based violence
judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU
right to information