News item | 25-06-2025 | 13:00
Doing more justice to victims of criminal offenses through better implementation of existing victim rights and strengthening them. That is the aim of the Multi -year Victimper Policy that State Secretary for Legal Protection Teun Struycken sent to the Lower House.
“Victims deserve recognition and support when the consequences of a criminal offense,” said Struycken.
With the long -term agenda, the State Secretary sets out the policy course up to and including 2028. The leading is that victims are well informed about their rights, so that they can decide for themselves which rights they want to exercise.
More privacy and automatic judgment
The first measures for victims will start on 1 July. From that date, for example, the personal data of victims will only be included in the criminal file if the court needs this information for a decision.
Also, victims who have joined the criminal proceedings as an injured party will no longer have to ask for the verdict from that date, but will receive this automatically.
For victims of insecurity and compelling control in closed groups, expertise center Fier opens an aid point on 1 July. Very closed groups such as sekts entail an increased risk of systematic abuse through their hierarchy and closedness, making it difficult to share experiences and searching for help.
More measures this year
For victims of serious violent and sexual crimes, it is introduced nationally that, if desired, victim lawyers are actively contacting after the first police contact. Victims do not have to look for a lawyer themselves.
This year, victims of systematic psychological violence are eligible for an allowance from the Violent Crimes claim fund. For victims of violence in dependency relationships, a new working method is tested in two regions from the third quarter, where it does not matter where they report: there is one entrance and one fixed point of contact.
At the end of this year, a bill will be in consultation that eligible brothers and sisters of victims for affection damage.
Further plans
In 2026, a special chair of victim rights will be established to increase victim consciousness among professionals in the criminal justice chain. From 2027, the interests of victims will be taken into account from 2027. Victims can then make their wishes known about, for example, a contact ban.
The advance arrangement, where the State pays out if a perpetrator does not pay, is also extended to more violent crimes.
The House of Representatives is informed annually about the progress.