SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS: TOWARDS A HOLISTIC RESPONSE TO CRIME. LATVIA AND BEYOND
The overall objective of project "Substantial Support for Victims: Towards a Holistic Response to Crime. Latvia and Beyond" is to prevent victimization by enhancing support for victims and fostering a more holistic and healing response to crime, where the needs of the victim, offender and society are equally acknowledged.
Needs of the violated should be the starting point in our response to crime, writes Howard Zehr (1990). European Commission has grouped these as the right to recognition, security and protection, support, access to justice and compensation and restoration. (EC Victims’ Package Consultation Document: Taking Action on Rights, Support and Protection of Victims of Crime and Violence.
Unfortunately, lack of understanding, motivation and means among law enforcement agencies, ministry officials and society at large to notice and respect the needs of victims is a challenged shared by Latvia and other EU member states.
Hence this project proposes four specific goals:
- Legal Aid Administration, Ministry of Justice (Latvia)
- Information Centre, Ministry of Interior (Latvia)
- State Probation Service (Latvia)
- Association Skalbes (Latvia)
- Establishment Centre Against Abuse (Latvia)
- Talsi Crisis Centre (Latvia)
- Victims Support Europe (UK)
- Victims Support Scotland (UK)