Services and Rights for Victims of Crime
NEWS
Mar 28, 2022
SeRV final conference
During the two years SERV project team consisting of researchers and practitioners from six EU countries worked together to improve understanding of victim support services provision, challenges, and opportunities; raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive and good victim support service provision and inter-organizational cooperation. The main findings and results of the project were presented during the final on-line conference that took place 28th March 2022.
10.00 – 10.20 Needs and Rights of Victims of Crime: Overview of the SERV Project aims and results
Anna Markina, Researcher, University of Tartu, Estonia
10.20-10.40 The role of Justice Services in building an integrated intervention system targeting crime victims based on the standards set in the Victims’ Directive
Isabella Mastropasqua, Executive of the Department for Juvenile and Community Justice, Italy
10.40 – 11.00 Specialised Hate Crime Victim Support
Stephan Kees, Specialist Consultant, VBRG – Association of Counseling Centers for Victims of Right-wing, Racist and Antisemitic Violence in Germany
11.00 – 11.20 Measures and proposals for the eradication of prostitution – Forum for the abolition of prostitution created by the Government of the Valencian Autonomous Community
Ana Calvo Sierra, legal researcher and coordinator of the Valencian Forum for the abolition of prostitution, Spain
11.20 – 11.30 Break
11.30 – 11.50 New challenges on human trafficking in Portugal
Manuel Albano – National Rapporteur – Trafficking in Human Beings; Vice President of Governmental commission for citizenship and gender equality, Portugal
11.50 – 12. 10 Risks of trafficking for the refugees of war in Ukraine
Sirle Blumberg, head of THB victims’ support service, VSS Estonia
12.10 – 12.30 The news and trends in the protection of crime victims in Romania
Mrs. Monica Trusca, executive director of the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection – Timis County
12.30 – 12.50 Discussion
12.50 – 13.00 Concluding remarks
Anna Markina, Researcher, University of Tartu, Estonia
Mar 25, 2021
Anna Markina was nominated a Victim Support Partner of the Year 2020
SeRV project manager Anna Markina was nominated a Victim Support Partner of the Year 2020 by the state victim support services of Estonia. She is ready to get involved with her knowledge, experience, committement and soul.
Victim support work would not be possible without the support of network and partners, stressed the Head of VSS jako Salla.
Dec 9, 2020
Webinar “Victim Support Services in Europe: Towards National Models”
EU Member States vary significantly in terms of the extent and capability of available victim supports services and lack a uniform approach. As noted in the 2015 report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on the provision of support services, Member States utilize three different public private cooperation models for the provision of services to victims of crime: structures that are state-run and funded; private NGOs that rely extensively on public funding; and NGO run services that rely on non-governmental funding sources. The report states that some Member States still did not have a victim support services system in place as of 2015.
SeRV: Services and Rights for Victims of Crime, which involves partners from Italy, Spain, Romania, Germany, Estonia, and Portugal, seeks to address the gaps and in service provision and identify national models capable of effectively providing comprehensive victim support services within each partner country. This focus on national models takes into consideration the unique history and culture of each country as well as the strengths already built in to the system. The intent is to identify a model capable of assuring full implementation of the Victims’ Directive by building on and incorporating the existing system and/or services. It is therefore essential to allow for different models and forms of cooperation and responsibility involving the public and private sectors.
This webinar focuses on the exchange of national practice and discussion about effective implementation with a focus on public vs. private service provision models as part of the effort to enhance knowledge and improve cooperation between professionals and service providers.
The seminar will be audio and video recorded.
Aug 24, 2020
Anna Markina was recognized with a Violence Prevention Award
The work of SeRV project manager Anna Markina was recognized with a Violence Prevention Award. The award is issued by the Ministry of Justice in cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia. The award is given to people who have contributed to the prevention of human trafficking and violence against women, as well as to raising awareness and helping young people. The award was presented to Anna and 7 other nominees by the President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid.
June 1, 2020
Helpline to help stop violence
The Estonian Social Insurance Board opened a helpline for men and women who want to stop violence in their relationship and make their behavior safer. Relatives who want to support those who wish to give up violent behavior are also expected to call the number. Violent behavior is unacceptable and can be replaced by respectful communication. Often, perpetrators see this for themselves and look for solutions to create security and peace in their families. At the same time, the journey from violence to safe behavior can be difficult, and change requires consistency and support. Therefore, the first step is to call and discuss the situation.
The non-violence helpline 6606 077 is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm, you can also ask for advice by e-mail tugiliin@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee.
Apr 9, 2020
Victim support legislation responds to emergency situation in Estonia
In Estonia Victim support services may be delivered by volunteers who have received relevant training. A draft act addressing the emergency situation in Estonia reduces restrictions on volunteers – in the future the volunteer can be related to a victim support worker and the amount of required in-service training for service providers of women’s support center is reduced.
Access to victim support services is given to persons who are strictly and negatively affected by the emergency situation – police, health care providers, social workers or persons who have lost a job due to emergency situation. The need for counselling service for the above mentioned persons is assessed by the victim support worker.
Mar 20, 2020
SeRV project online meeting on March 20th
SeRV project partners in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Estonia hold on online meeting to discuss the state of affairs and future SGM meetings scheduled in April and September.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
The emergency situations in all countries affect the project in several ways – travel ban, distant working, closing the victim support services, etc, are the present day situation in all participating countries. Interviews with VSS as well as victims have to be postponed. This calls for adjustments in project activities.
Partners came up with possible solutions: considering conducting phone interviews; reducing the number of interviews per country; involving VSS in interviewing where trustful relationship with the victims has already been established.
Partners agreed that victim support services operation during crises can be added to the project research topics. The next SGM meeting will take place online.
Dec 20, 2019
SERV project leaflets are available in 6 languages. The leaflet gives overview of the project goals, target groups and activities as well as expected outcomes for victims, service providers and policy makers.
Nov 1, 2019
The Kick-off meeting of the SERV project took place in Tallinn in October 29-30, 2019.
Project team and experts learned about different models of victim support and had a fruitful 2-day discussion on project issues.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 28-29, 2020 in Rome.
