Public Hearing of the Legal Affairs Committee on Improving Victim Protection
27 November 2024
The Legal Affairs Committee of the Bundestag held a public hearing on 27 November 2024 to discuss ways to improve victim protection. Representatives from victim support organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary participated in the hearing.
Key Points from the Hearing
- Need for more comprehensive support for victims: Participants emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to victim support, addressing both immediate needs (e.g., medical care, legal assistance) and long-term needs (e.g., psychological therapy, financial assistance).
- Importance of victim participation: Speakers stressed the importance of ensuring that victims have a voice in the criminal justice process and that their rights are respected throughout.
- Challenges in prosecuting sexual violence: Representatives from law enforcement and victim support organizations highlighted the specific challenges faced in prosecuting sexual violence, including low reporting rates, difficulties in gathering evidence, and victim blaming.
- Need for specialized support for vulnerable victims: The hearing recognized the need for specialized support services for vulnerable victims, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Role of technology in improving victim protection: Participants discussed the potential of technology to enhance victim safety and facilitate access to support services.
Recommendations from the Hearing
Based on the discussions, the Legal Affairs Committee formulated several recommendations, including:
- Establishing a national victim support hotline
- Expanding legal aid services for victims
- Enhancing training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors on victim-centered approaches
- Creating specialized courts or units for handling sexual violence cases
- Developing awareness campaigns to combat victim blaming and encourage reporting
- Investing in technology solutions to improve victim safety and support
- Strengthening international cooperation on victim protection
Next Steps
The Legal Affairs Committee will consider the recommendations from the hearing in its deliberations on proposed legislation to improve victim protection. The proposed legislation is expected to be debated in the Bundestag in early 2025.
Öffentliche Anhörung des Rechtsausschusses zur Verbesserung des Opferschutzes
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