Summary
More than half of Serbian crime victims do not receive any support. There is also a lack of standardised treatment starting from initial contact with the police, prosecution, courts until completion of the proceedings. Coordination of state institutions and civil society is crucial.
The EU helps to create the system to ensure the rights, support and protection of crime victims and the injured, in line with the EU and international standards. This project will introduce a nationwide institutional support and protection model, which will improve the quality of justice, competence of judicial officials and efficiency of proceedings. The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, High Judicial Council, State Prosecutorial Council, and Republic Public Prosecutor's Office will receive training and manuals on victims’ rights and provision of support.
Public awareness on victims’ and witnesses’ rights will also be supported in a promotional campaign, especially victims of gender based violence. Laying the foundation for establishment of call centres will also help inform victims and witnesses about their rights. The project will help develop a National Strategy on Crime Victims’ Rights and Action Plan, for adequate strategic and legal framework.