The conference begins with a keynote speech reflecting on 35 years of progress in victim support across Europe, celebrating the achievements and growth of organisations like VSE and APAV. This sets the stage for the conference main theme: how past experiences inform current actions and inspire future progress.

This speech will underscore the universal and indivisible nature of victims’ rights, highlighting significant milestones such as the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime, the 25th Anniversary of the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights, and the 5th Anniversary of the EU Victims’ Rights Directive. These foundational principles have laid the groundwork for notable achievements in victim support across regions and cultures.

However, the promise of universality and indivisibility of victims’ rights remains unfulfilled. The inetrvention will address the challenges in ensuring equal and fair attention to all victims’ rights, emphasising the importance of their interdependence. It will also emphasize how to achieve greater diversity of voices in decision-making processes, ensuring that policies reflect the needs of all victims.

The conference’s opening day will focus on the urgent issue of hate crimes, dedicating a major plenary session to this critical topic. Three distinguished speakers will engage in a thought-provoking discussion, each exploring different facets of hate crimes, from racial and religious intolerance to attacks based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This session will shed light on the pervasive impact of hate crimes on communities and the need for comprehensive strategies to combat these offenses. Attendees will gain insights into the legal, social, and psychological dimensions of hate crimes and explore how victim support services can play a vital role in addressing and mitigating these harmful acts.

Following the opening reflections, the conference shifts to a broader perspective by commemorating significant international milestones that have shaped victim support. This includes the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime, the 25th Anniversary of the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights, and the ongoing revision of the EU Victims Rights Directive. Discussions will reflect on how these documents have influenced victim support over the years and continue to serve as guiding lights for the future.

There will be a focus on how these legislations are practically adopted and how to achieve further legislative changes to strengthen victim support systems, including strategies on how to convince politicians and effectively advocate for these crucial changes.

This session reinforces the importance of foundational principles in guiding the evolution of victim support services, providing a historical context that frames subsequent discussions on national frameworks and international cooperation.

Following the plenary, the focus shifts to trauma during a specialized workshop. This session will delve into practical techniques and strategies for working with victims who have experienced traumatic events. Participants will learn about trauma-informed care, the importance of creating safe environments for victims, and the ways in which support providers can help victims navigate their trauma recovery journey. The workshop aims to equip attendees with the tools and knowledge necessary to offer compassionate, effective support to those who have been deeply affected by crime.

Day 1 continues with a workshop dedicated to the challenges of supporting particularly vulnerable victims, including children and individuals with disabilities. This session will explore innovative approaches and techniques for adapting support services to meet the unique needs of these groups. Participants will discuss strategies for effective communication, personalized care, and the creation of inclusive support environments that respect the dignity and rights of all victims, regardless of their vulnerabilities.

Another workshop will tackle the complexities of supporting victims of group and gang violence. This session will focus on communication strategies that can help support providers build trust and rapport with victims who may be fearful or mistrustful. Attendees will explore the psychological and social dynamics of gang violence, learn how to navigate the challenges of working with victims entangled in these violent networks, and discuss best practices for offering support that addresses both immediate safety and long-term recovery.

Gender-based violence and domestic violence will be the focus of another workshop on Day 1. This session will highlight the latest innovations in support services for victims of these crimes, emphasizing the need for a gender-sensitive approach. Participants will explore best practices for identifying, assessing, and responding to domestic violence, as well as strategies for empowering victims to regain control of their lives. The workshop will also address the importance of inter-agency collaboration in creating a coordinated response to these pervasive issues.

The conference’s day two will focus various forms of cybercrime, from online harassment and identity theft to more complex forms of digital exploitation. Participants will learn about the latest trends in cybercrime, the psychological impact on victims, and the challenges of providing support in a digital context. The session will also explore strategies for helping victims recover from the often invisible wounds inflicted by cybercrimes.

Also on the morning of Day 2, the conference will turn its attention to crimes against elderly people—a growing and concerning issue. This parallel session will explore the unique vulnerabilities of older victims, who may face physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Attendees will discuss the challenges of identifying and supporting elderly victims, the role of family and community in prevention, and strategies for ensuring that support services are accessible and responsive to the needs of older individuals.

The morning sessions on Day 2 will also include a parallel discussion focused on the devastating impact of war crimes and the victimization of refugees, issues that have become increasingly urgent given the global context. This session will delve into the experiences of refugees who have fled conflict zones and the atrocities they may have witnessed or endured. Participants will discuss the challenges of providing support to these highly traumatized populations, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the role of international cooperation in addressing war crimes and refugee victimization.

Following the morning sessions, the programme shifts to one of the two parallel sessions which will explor the critical role of international cooperation in victim support. Here, we highlight how collaboration across borders has been instrumental in creating robust frameworks that protect victims’ rights and ensure consistent support. This segment will emphasize the partnerships between Europe and global entities like Victim Support Americas, Vicitm Support Asia or INVICTM, showcasing how shared knowledge and resources have driven progress.

This discussion underscores that while the roots of victim support may be local, its strength lies in global solidarity. The session aims to inspire further international collaboration, demonstrating that the challenges of victimization transcend borders, and so too must the solutions. It will include a forward-looking discussion on setting up Victim Support Africa and similar initiatives in other regions to further expand the global network of victim support.

The second parallel session will narrow its focus to the national level, examining how countries across Europe have translated broad legal frameworks into actionable, on-the-ground support for victims. This session will explore the successes and struggles in implementing key directives, such as the Victims’ Rights Directive, and the impact these frameworks have had in moving victim support from a niche concern to a mainstream priority.

This part of the program is crucial as it highlights the journey from policy to practice, illustrating how legislative advancements are vital in securing tangible improvements in victims’ lives. It also sets the stage for discussing future legislative changes and how they can be effectively implemented.

In the afternoon of Day 2, a parallel session will cover the critical issue of sexual crimes against children. This session will explore the profound impact of these crimes on young victims and the specialized support services needed to help them heal. Participants will discuss the importance of early intervention, the role of law enforcement and child protection agencies, and the challenges of providing long-term support to children who have experienced sexual abuse.

The final theme will occur in a parallel session of the conference, held in the afternoon of Day 2, and will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and crime, an emerging area of concern. This session will examine how AI technologies are being used both to commit and prevent crimes and the ethical implications of these developments. Participants will discuss the potential for AI to revolutionize victim support services, as well as the risks and challenges associated with its use in the criminal justice system.