On 17 March 2026, WAVE’s Executive Director, Stephanie Futter-Orel, participated in the High-Level Plenary of the EU Victims’ Rights Platform in Brussels. The meeting brought together representatives from EU institutions, national authorities, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to discuss the revised Victims’ Rights Directive (VRD) and the upcoming EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights (2026–2030).
A central message emerged clearly throughout the discussions: survivor voices must remain at the heart of policymaking. Powerful testimonies from victims underscored the urgent need for legal frameworks that are not only robust on paper but responsive to lived realities.
WAVE also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Victims’ Rights Platform Coordinator Katarzyna Janicka-Pawłowska for her dedication to ensuring diverse civil society participation since 2020, and warmly welcomes Tommaso Chiamparino as the new Coordinator. We look forward to continued collaboration in strengthening victims’ rights across Europe.
Key Advances in the Revised Directive
The revised Directive, with its final text expected in June 2026, will introduce several important improvements that mark progress toward a more inclusive and survivor-centred approach.
Access to justice and support
Legal aid provisions will be strengthened, particularly for victims in vulnerable situations. Victims’ contact details will no longer be automatically shared with offenders, enhancing safety and privacy. Psychological support is to be provided for as long as needed under national systems, and individual needs assessments will become ongoing processes, extending to family members and dependents.
Health and bodily autonomy
For the first time, EU legislation will explicitly reference access to abortion as healthcare for victims of sexual violence. This would be accompanied by provisions for emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, marking a significant step forward in recognising comprehensive care needs.
Children’s rights
Child witnesses will be recognised as victims in their own right, with equal access to support services. Broader provisions ensure that children will receive comprehensive psycho-social, medical, procedural, and administrative support.
Inclusion and accessibility
Disability will be mainstreamed throughout the Directive, addressing accessibility, procedural accommodation, and institutional access for approximately 90 million people across the EU. Importantly, all protections under the Directive will apply regardless of a person’s residence status.
Strengthening the role of civil society
The revised Directive will formally recognise the role of civil society organisations in supporting victims. Police authorities will be required to cooperate with CSOs in third-party reporting mechanisms, enabling victims to access justice through trusted intermediaries. In addition, Member States will be required to establish national coordination protocols between authorities and civil society.
Where Concerns Remain
Despite these advances, several critical gaps persist.
The so-called “firewall” provision, which is intended to protect victims with irregular migration status from data-sharing with immigration authorities, currently applies only until the end of the initial assessment. This limitation would risk leaving victims exposed at later stages, potentially deterring them from seeking support.
Furthermore, key measures such as the Barnahus model, which brings all child victim services under one roof to prevent re-traumatisation, and state compensation schemes remain non-binding recommendations rather than legal obligations. This would fall short of the level of commitment needed to ensure consistent protection across Member States.
Looking Ahead
As with all legal frameworks, the true impact of the revised Victims’ Rights Directive will depend on its implementation. Strong provisions must be matched by political will, adequate resources, and meaningful cooperation with civil society.
WAVE will continue to advocate for effective transposition and implementation of the Directive, working to ensure that the rights enshrined in EU law translate into tangible, survivor-centred change across Europe. If you are interested in supporting us on that journey, we would be thankful for your contribution.
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