譯者序
歐洲議會與歐盟理事會於 2012 年 10 月 25 日通過《犯罪被害人權利、支援和保護最低標準》（第2012/29/EU號指令，以下簡稱《被害人指令》）。被害人指令是歐盟為強化境內所有犯罪被害人權益保障，提升保護水準而制定的重要法律文件，確立了會員國在被害人資訊獲取、支援服務、程序參與及保護措施等方面應遵循的最低標準。
值得注意的是，台灣於 2023 年修正通過的《犯罪被害人權益保障法》，在其立法理由中多處明確引註參考了《被害人指令》的相關規定。這顯示歐盟在被害人權利保障領域的立法經驗與標準，對於我國相關法制的發展具有相當重要的影響力。
《被害人指令》要求會員國於 2015 年前轉換為國內法以來，已實施近十年。歐盟執委會於 2022 年對其施行狀況進行了評估，肯定其貢獻的同時，也指出了在被害人實際獲取資訊、支援、保護及有效參與程序等方面仍存在不足之處。基於此評估，執委會已於 2023 年 7 月正式提出修正案，旨在進一步強化被害人權利。此外，長期關注此議題的歐洲被害人支援組織 (Victim Support Europe, VSE) 也針對修正方向提出了更為前瞻的建議。
鑑於我國 2023 年甫完成之修法係以歐盟 2012 年本《指令》作為重要參考基準，然而歐盟本身已邁向下一階段的精進，且國內對於 2012 年《指令》似乎尚無完整、符合台灣法律語境的繁體中文譯本可供各界參考。為此，筆者認為將此基礎性文件完整翻譯出來，實有其重要性與急迫性。透過理解我國修法的重要參考藍本，方能更清晰地掌握我國新法的精神，並為未來借鑒歐盟的持續發展奠定基礎。
本譯文以歐盟官方英文版本為本，力求在專業術語上貼近台灣法律實務用語，並在語句表達上符合繁體中文習慣。筆者後續亦將持續關注歐盟 2023 年修正提案及 VSE 相關建議文件之發展，並規劃逐步翻譯介紹給國內讀者。
期盼本譯文及後續相關資料的引介，能提供台灣關心被害人權益保障的讀者、學術研究者，以及在第一線從事犯罪被害人保護工作的夥伴們，一個理解與參考歐盟經驗的窗口，共同為推進台灣被害人權益保障工作而努力。
本譯文為個人翻譯研究成果，不代表任何機關立場。疏漏之處在所難免，敬請各界先進不吝指正。
蕭逸民 2025/4/27 謹識
犯罪被害人權利、支援和保護的最低標準
歐洲議會和歐盟理事會第2012/29/EU號指令
2012年10月25日
制定《犯罪被害人權利、支援和保護的最低標準》，
並取代歐盟理事會架構決定2001/220/JHA
歐洲議會和歐盟理事會，
依據《歐盟運作條約》，尤其是第82(2)條，
依據歐盟執委會的提案，
在向各國議會傳達立法草案後，
依據歐洲經濟和社會委員會的意見*1，
依據區域委員會的意見*2，
遵循普通立法程序進行*3，
鑑於：
(1)歐盟已設定目標，維持並發展自由、安全與正義的區域，其基石為民事和刑事司法判決的相互承認。
(2)歐盟致力於保護犯罪被害人，並為其制定最低標準，理事會已通過2001年3月15日關於被害人在刑事訴訟中的地位的《架構決定2001/220/JHA》*4。根據歐洲理事會在2009年12月10日和11日會議上通過的斯德哥爾摩計畫—一個開放、安全、為公民服務和保護公民的歐洲*5，執委會和會員國被要求研究如何改進立法和實際支援措施，以保護被害人，並特別優先關注、支援和承認所有被害人，包括恐怖主義被害人。
(3)《歐盟運作條約》(TFEU)第82(2)條規定，應制定適用於會員國的最低標準，以促進在涉及跨境範圍的刑事案件中，相互承認法院判決與司法裁定，並加強警察與司法合作，特別是關於犯罪被害人的權利。
(4)歐盟理事會於2011年6月10日通過《加強被害人權利與保護之路線圖》*6，特別是在刑事訴訟程序中的保護（以下稱「布達佩斯路線圖」）。理事會聲明，應在歐盟層級採取行動，以強化犯罪被害人的權利、支援與保護。為此，本指令旨在修訂與補充《架構決定2001/220/JHA》中所確立的原則，並在整個歐盟範圍內，特別是在刑事訴訟程序架構內，大幅提升對被害人的保護水準。
(5)歐洲議會於2009年11月26日通過的《消除對婦女暴力決議》*7，呼籲會員國改善其國內法律與政策，以打擊一切形式的對婦女暴力行為，並採取行動以處理導致對婦女施暴的根本原因，特別是透過預防措施。此外，該決議亦要求歐盟確保所有暴力被害人獲得協助與支援的權利。
(6)歐洲議會於2011年4月5日通過《關於打擊對婦女暴力的新歐盟政策架構的重點與大綱》之決議*8，提出一項打擊對婦女暴力、家庭暴力及女性割禮的策略，作為未來制定防治性別暴力的刑事法律工具之基礎，其中包括打擊對婦女暴力的架構（政策、預防、保護、起訴、提供支援及夥伴合作），並由歐盟後續制定行動計畫加以落實。此領域的國際規範包括聯合國1979年12月18日通過的《消除對婦女一切形式歧視公約》（CEDAW）、CEDAW委員會的建議與決定，以及歐洲理事會2011年4月7日通過的《預防與打擊對婦女和家庭暴力公約》。
(7)歐洲議會和歐盟理事會2011年12月13日關於歐洲保護令《第2011/99/EU號指令》*9，建立了會員國之間刑事案件保護措施的相互承認機制。歐洲議會和歐盟理事會2011年4月5日關於預防和打擊人口販運以及保護其被害人《第2011/36/EU號指令》*10，以及歐洲議會和歐盟理事會2011年12月13日關於打擊對兒童的性虐待和性剝削以及兒童色情製品《第2011/93/EU號指令》*11，，特別針對人口販運、兒童性虐待、性剝削及兒童色情製品的被害人之特殊需求進行規範。
(8)歐盟理事會2002年6月13日關於打擊恐怖主義《第2002/475/JHA號架構決議》承認*12，恐怖主義是對歐盟所立基原則的最嚴重侵犯之一，包括民主原則，並確認恐怖主義特別威脅到人權的自由行使。
(9)犯罪不僅是對社會的危害，同時也是對被害人個人權利的侵害。因此，犯罪被害人應以尊重、敏感且專業的方式，受到承認和對待，並不得因任何理由遭受歧視，例如種族、膚色、族裔或社會出身、基因特徵、語言、宗教或信仰、政治或其他意見、國家少數群體身份、財產、出生、身心障礙、年齡、性別、性別表達、性別認同、性傾向、居留狀況或健康狀況等。權責機關在刑事訴訟程序中與被害人的接觸，或任何與被害人接觸的服務，例如被害人支援或修復式司法服務，應充分考量犯罪被害人的個人狀況及即時需求，包括年齡、性別、可能的身心障礙及成熟程度，並完全尊重其身體、心理及道德完整性。應確保被害人免於二次被害及重複被害，避免恐嚇與報復，並提供適當的支援以協助其康復，確保其享有充分的司法救濟。
(10)本指令不涉及犯罪被害人在會員國境內的居留條件。各會員國應採取必要措施，確保本指令所載的權利不受被害人居留狀態、公民身份或國籍的限制。舉報犯罪和參與刑事訴訟，不會為被害人的居留狀態創設任何權利。
(11)本指令規範最低標準，各會員國得進一步擴展本指令所規定的權利，以提供更高層級的保護。
(12)本指令所規定的權利不得損害加害人的權利。本指令所稱「加害人」，係指已經法院判決有罪的人。然而，就本指令之適用而言，該用語亦指於認罪或定罪前仍屬嫌疑人或被告的個人，並不得損害無罪推定原則。
(13)本指令適用於發生於歐盟境內的犯罪行為，以及在歐盟境內進行的刑事訴訟程序。對於發生於歐盟境外的犯罪，本指令僅在該案件於歐盟境內進行刑事訴訟程序時，方賦予被害人相關權利。在歐盟境外向權責（如大使館）舉報刑事案件，並不會觸發本指令所載的義務。
(14)於適用本指令時，應依據《歐盟基本權利憲章》及《聯合國兒童權利公約》（1989年11月20日通過）的規範，將兒童最佳利益作為首要考量。兒童被害人應被視為並對待為享有本指令所保障權利的完整權利主體，並應依其理解能力與表達意願行使相關權利。
(15)於適用本指令時，各會員國應確保身心障礙被害人能與其他人平等地享有本指令所保障的權利，包括促進刑事訴訟進行場所和資訊取得的無障礙／可及性。
(16)恐怖主義被害人遭受攻擊的最終目的在危害社會。基於此類犯罪的特殊性質，他們可能需要特別關注、支援與保護。恐怖主義被害人往往會受到公眾的密切關注，也通常需要被社會所認同與尊重。因此，各會員國應特別考量恐怖主義被害人的需求，並致力於維護其尊嚴與安全。
(17)基於性別、性別認同或性別表達的暴力，或對特定性別群體造成不成比例影響的暴力，即為性別暴力。此類暴力可能對被害人造成生理、性、心理傷害或經濟損失。性別暴力被視為一種歧視行為，亦構成對被害人基本自由之侵害，其範圍包括但不限於親密關係中的暴力、性暴力（包括強暴、性侵害與性騷擾）、人口販運、奴役，以及其他有害習俗（如強迫婚姻、女性割禮與所謂的「榮譽犯罪」）。性別暴力的女性被害人及其子女通常需要特別的支援和保護，因為此類暴力行為存在高度的二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復的風險。
(18)親密關係暴力，係指加害人為被害人之現任或前任配偶、伴侶或其他家屬，無論加害人是否曾與被害人同住。此類暴力可能涵蓋身體暴力、性暴力、心理暴力或經濟暴力，並可能對被害人造成身體、心理或情緒傷害，或經濟損失。親密關係暴力為一嚴重且經常隱藏之社會問題，因加害人為被害人應能信任之對象，故可能導致結構性心理和生理創傷，並帶來嚴重後果。此類暴力對女性的影響尤為嚴重，且若女性在經濟、社會或居留權利方面依賴加害人，則其處境可能更為嚴峻。
(19)無論加害人是否經確認、逮捕、起訴或定罪，亦不論加害人與被害人之間是否有親屬關係，均應被視為被害人。被害人的家屬往往會因犯罪行為受到傷害，尤其是犯罪行為直接導致被害人死亡時，其家屬大多會因犯罪行為受到傷害，故此類間接受害人亦應獲得本指令所保障的保護。惟各會員國得制定程序，以限制享有本指令權利的家屬範圍。如被害人為兒童，則兒童本人或由法定監護人代表（除非不符合兒童的最佳利益），行使本指令所賦予的權利。本指令不損害會員國為確定被害人身分所需的行政程序。
(20)被害人在刑事司法制度中的身分，以及他們是否能積極參與刑事訴訟，依各會員國的法律制度而異，取決於下列一項或多項標準：該國家制度是否賦予被害人刑事訴訟程序當事人的法律地位；被害人是否依法負有義務或應要求積極參與刑事訴訟，例如作為證人；或在該國家制度未賦予被害人刑事訴訟程序當事人法律地位的情況下，被害人是否依法有權參與刑事訴訟，並積極請求參與。各會員國應依據上述標準，決定適用本指令所規範之被害人權利範圍，並據以確立被害人在其國內刑事司法制度中的身分。
(21)權責機關、被害人支援服務和修復式司法服務提供的資訊和建議，應盡可能透過多種媒體形式提供，並以被害人能夠理解的方式傳達。這些資訊和建議應使用簡單易懂的語言。也應確保被害人在司法程序中能清楚表達並獲得適當理解。在這方面，應考量被害人對所使用語言的理解程度、年齡、成熟度、心智和情感能力、識字能力，以及任何身心障礙。應特別注意因聽覺或言語障礙等身心障礙所導致的理解或溝通困難。同樣地，刑事訴訟程序中應考量被害人表達資訊的能力限制。
(22)本指令的適用，應自報案時點起視為屬於刑事訴訟程序的範疇。權責機關因被害人遭受犯罪，依職權主動開始進行刑事訴訟程序者，亦同。
(23)關於費用償還之資訊，應自被害人首次與權責機關聯繫時起提供，例如以傳單載明費用償還之基本條件。於刑事訴訟程序初期階段，會員國無須決定被害人是否符合費用償還之條件。
(24)被害人在舉報犯罪時，應獲得警方出具的書面報案證明，其中應載明犯罪的基本要件，例如犯罪類型、發生時間和地點、以及犯罪所造成的損害或傷害。此報案證明應包含案件編號、報案時間和地點，以作為案件已受理的證明，例如作為申請保險理賠的依據。
(25)若被害人因害怕報復、羞辱或污名化而延遲報案，只要該報案仍在法定時效內，均不得以此為由拒絕受理其報案。
(26)提供資訊時，應詳盡說明相關細節，以確保被害人獲得尊重的對待，並使其就參與訴訟程序作出知情決定。就此而言，使被害人了解所有相關訴訟程序當前進度的資訊尤為重要。同樣重要的是，應使被害人能夠決定是否請求審查不起訴決定。除非另有規定，所有提供資訊得以口頭、書面或電子方式傳遞。
(27)向被害人提供資訊時，應依其向權責機關所提供之最新通訊地址或電子聯絡資訊發送。於特殊情形下，例如因案件涉及大量被害人時，亦得透過新聞媒體、權責機關之官方網站或類似之傳播管道提供資訊。
(28)若資訊之揭露可能影響案件之妥適處理、或損害特定案件或人員，或會員國認為有悖於其基本安全利益時，會員國無義務提供該等資訊。
(29)權責機關應確保被害人獲得最新的聯絡資訊，以便就其案件進行溝通，除非被害人明確表示不願意接收此類資訊。
(30)就本指令所保障之資訊、口譯及筆譯等權利而言，其中所稱「決定」一詞，應僅限於認定被告有罪或終結刑事訴訟程序之裁判或處分。該「決定」之理由，應以載有理由或其摘要之書面文件副本提供予被害人。
(31)被害人就其所遭受犯罪提出報案而繫屬的案件，享有獲得資訊的權利，包括知悉法院審理該案件的時間和地點；若該案件進入上訴程序，該權利亦適用於上訴庭審理的時間和地點。
(32)在被害人有危險或明確受害風險的情形下，權責機關應依被害人的要求，提供有關加害人獲釋或脫逃的詳細資訊，但通知被害人可能導致加害人有明確受害風險時，不適用。在通知被害人可能導致加害人有明確受害風險時，權責機關應綜合考量相關風險，以決定適當的做法。前述「被害人有明確受害風險」一詞，應限於犯罪性質、嚴重程度及報復風險等因素。因此，本規定不適用於輕罪，且被害人僅有輕微受害風險的情形。
(33)若國內法賦予被害人對加害人釋放決定提出上訴的權利，則應提供被害人相關資訊。
(34)除非被害人能以權責機關可理解的方式妥適說明犯罪情節並提供證據，否則司法正義將無法有效實現。同樣重要的是，應確保被害人受到尊重的對待，並能行使其權利。應依據被害人在相關刑事司法制度中的身分，於訊問被害人時，及為確保被害人能積極參與法院審理，提供口譯服務，並不予收費。至於刑事訴訟的其他程序，是否比照提供口譯及筆譯服務，則應視具體爭點、被害人在相關刑事司法制度中的身分、訴訟參與程度，以及其所享有的特定權利而定。在其他情形下，口譯及筆譯服務僅應提供於被害人行使其權利所必要的範圍內。
(35)被害人應有權利依據國內法律程序，對無需提供口譯或翻譯服務之決定提出異議；此項權利並不要求會員國建立獨立機制或申訴程序，以供被害人對該決定提出異議，亦不應不合理延長刑事訴訟程序。依現行國內程序對該決定進行內部審查即可。
(36)被害人使用的語言不普及，僅此事實本身，不得作為認定提供口譯或翻譯服務將不合理延長刑事訴訟程序的理由。
(37)支援服務應依據被害人的需求和本指令所賦予的權利，自權責機關知悉被害人時起，貫穿整個刑事訴訟程序，並於程序結束後的適當期間內持續提供。支援服務應透過多元方式提供，避免過度拘泥於形式，並確保於會員國境內具備充分可及性，使所有被害人均能獲得該服務。對於因重大犯罪導致嚴重傷害的被害人，可能需要提供專業支援服務。
(38)對於特別脆弱或處於高風險情境的人，例如反覆遭受親密關係暴力的人、性別暴力被害人，以及非國民或居民的其他類型犯罪被害人，應提供專業支援和法律保護。專業支援服務應基於綜合且針對性的做法，尤應考量被害人的特殊需求、因犯罪而遭受傷害的嚴重程度，以及被害人、加害人、兒童及其所處更廣泛社會環境的相互關係。此類服務及其工作人員的首要任務之一，是告知本指令所規定的權利，使被害人能夠在尊重、尊嚴且具敏感性的支持環境下做出決定，並在支援被害人復原和克服犯罪行為造成的潛在傷害或創傷方面，發揮關鍵作用。此類專業支援服務應提供的協助，可能包括提供庇護處所和安全住所、即時醫療協助、強暴或性侵案件轉介醫療和法醫檢驗蒐證、短期和長期心理諮商、創傷照護、法律諮詢、倡議行動，以及為直接或間接被害的兒童提供專業服務。
(39)被害人支援服務無義務自行提供廣泛之專業專才；如有需要，應協助被害人尋求現有之專業支援，例如心理學家等。
(40)雖然提供支援服務不應以被害人向警察等權責機關舉報刑事案件為前提，但該等權責機關通常最適宜告知被害人有關支援服務之可能性。各會員國因此應建立適當條件，以促使被害人得以轉介至被害人支援服務，並確保能遵守資訊保護規範；應避免重複轉介。
(41)被害人表達意見的權利，若經權責機關許可以書面方式提交陳述或說明，應視為該權利已獲保障。
(42)不得僅因被害人為兒童，或僅以其年齡為由，而排除其在刑事訴訟程序中表達意見的權利。
(43)被害人請求審查不起訴決定的權利，所稱「決定」一詞，係指檢察官、偵查法官或警察等執法機關作成的決定，而不包括法院所作的決定。任何對不起訴決定的審查，應由做成原決定以外的其他人員或機關進行。除非，原決定是由最高檢察機關作成，且無上級機關得審查，則得由該機關自行覆查。審查不起訴決定的權利不適用於特殊程序，例如調查國會議員或政府官員執行職務行為的特別程序。
(44)終結刑事訴訟程序的決定，應包括檢察官撤回起訴或終止偵查的決定。
(45)檢察官決定以庭外和解終結刑事訴訟程序時，該和解需對加害人附帶警告或課予義務，方得排除被害人請求審查不起訴決定的權利。
(46)修復式司法服務，例如被害人與加害人調解、家庭團體會議和判決圈等機制，對被害人而言可能極具助益，但必須有適當的保護措施，以防止二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復。因此，此類服務應以被害人的利益與需求為首要考量，致力於修復被害人所遭受的傷害，並避免造成更進一步的損害。在將案件轉介至修復式司法服務或進行修復式司法程序時，應考量諸多因素，例如犯罪的性質與嚴重程度、犯罪所造成的創傷程度、對被害人生理、性別或心理完整性的重複侵害、權力不對等關係，以及被害人的年齡、成熟度或心智能力等，這些因素可能會限制或降低被害人作出知情選擇的能力，或影響修復式司法程序能否對被害人產生正面效果。原則上，修復式司法程序應予保密，除非當事人同意公開，或法律有維護重大公共利益之必要時，方得公開。若修復式司法程序中出現威脅或任何形式的暴力行為，則可基於公共利益予以公開。
(47)被害人無需為參與刑事訴訟程序而負擔費用。會員國應償付被害人因參與刑事訴訟程序所生的必要費用，但不包含被害人委任律師的費用。成員國得以法律明定償付費用的條件，例如請求償付的時效限制、食宿與交通等費用的標準，以及收入損失的每日最高限額。被害人僅因對刑事犯罪陳述意見所產生的費用，不應納入償付範圍。償付費用的適用範圍，應限於被害人依權責機關的要求或指示，有義務出席並積極參與刑事訴訟程序所產生的費用。
(48)在刑事訴訟程序中遭扣押的可返還財產，應儘快歸還給被害人，惟在特殊情況下得例外，例如財產所有權存在爭議，或該財產本身或其持有行為屬於違法。返還財產的權利，不妨礙為其他法定程序之目的而合法扣留財產。
(49)向加害人請求賠償的權利及相關適用程序，也適用於不居住在犯罪行為發生地的其他會員國被害人。
(50)本指令所規定的移送報案義務，不影響會員國對刑事訴訟程序的管轄權，也不影響《歐盟理事會架構決定》（2009/948/JHA）於2009年11月30日訂定關於預防與解決刑事訴訟管轄權衝突的規定。*13
(51)如果被害人已離開犯罪發生地的會員國領土，則該會員國不再有提供協助、支援和保護的義務，但與該刑事案件相關訴訟程序所需的協助仍屬例外，例如法院審理期間的特別保護措施。被害人復原所需的協助、支援與保護，應由其居住地的會員國提供。
(52)應提供適當措施，以保障被害人和家屬的安全與尊嚴，防止其遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇或報復，例如臨時禁制令、保護令或限制令。
(53)為降低被害人遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇或報復的風險，訴訟程序應以協調且尊重被害人的方式進行，使其能夠對權責機關建立信任。應盡可能簡化被害人與權責機關的接觸程序，並透過例如錄製被害人接受訊問的影像，並允許於法庭程序中使用等方式，減少被害人與權責機關不必要的接觸次數。此外，應提供多元措施給實務工作者運用，以避免被害人在法院審理期間遭受不必要的壓力，特別應防止其在視覺上與加害人、加害人家屬、關係人或公眾接觸。為此，應鼓勵會員國採取可行且適切的措施，特別是在法院建築及警察機關內，設置獨立出入口、被害人專用等候區等便民設施。此外，會員國亦應在可行範圍內調整刑事訴訟程序，以避免被害人和家屬與加害人直接接觸，例如安排被害人與加害人於不同時間出庭。
(54)保護被害人隱私是防止二次和重複被害、恐嚇及報復的重要手段，並可透過多種措施實現，例如不公開或限制公開有關被害人身份及行蹤的資訊。此類保護對於兒童被害人尤為重要，包括不得公開兒童的姓名。然而，在特定情況下，揭露甚至廣泛發布資訊可能對兒童有利，例如兒童遭到綁架時。保護被害人和家屬隱私及影像的措施，應始終符合公正審判權利與言論自由的保障，並應遵循《歐洲人權公約》第6條與第10條之規定。
(55)部分被害人在刑事訴訟程序中，特別容易遭受加害人的二次和重複被害、恐嚇與報復。此風險可能源於被害人的個人特徵，或犯罪的類型、性質或情節。唯有儘早進行個別評估，才能有效識別此類風險。應對所有被害人進行此類評估，以確定其是否存在遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇與報復的風險，以及需要何種特別保護措施。
(56)個別評估應考量被害人的個人特徵，例如其年齡、性別及性別認同或表達、族裔、種族、宗教、性傾向、健康狀況、身心障礙、居留狀況、溝通困難、與加害人的關係或對其的依賴程度，以及過往的犯罪被害經驗。評估亦應考量犯罪的類型、性質及情節，例如是否為仇恨犯罪、偏見犯罪或出於歧視動機的犯罪、性暴力、親密關係暴力、加害人是否具控制地位、被害人的住所是否位於高犯罪率或幫派控制區域，或被害人的原籍國並非犯罪發生地的會員國。
(57)人口販運、恐怖主義、組織犯罪、親密關係暴力、性暴力或剝削、性別暴力、仇恨犯罪的被害人，以及身心障礙被害人與兒童被害人，往往有較高風險遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇與報復。在評估此類被害人是否存在該等被害、恐嚇與報復的風險時，應特別關注，並應強力推定此類被害人將受益於特別保護措施。
(58)對於被認定容易遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇與報復的被害人，應於刑事訴訟程序期間提供適當的保護措施。此類措施的確切性質應透過個別評估決定，並考量被害人的意願。任何此類措施的範圍，應在不損害被告辯護權，且符合司法裁量規則的前提下決定。被害人對於訴訟程序的擔憂與恐懼，應作為決定其是否需要任何特定措施的關鍵因素。
(59)實務上的即時需求及限制因素可能使某些措施難以落實，例如無法確保同一警察持續負責被害人訊問；生病、產假或育嬰假即為此類限制因素。此外，專為訊問被害人所設計的場所可能因整修等原因而暫時無法使用。遇有此類實務或操作上的限制因素，個別評估所規劃之特別措施可能無法逐案提供。
(60)依據本指令，若需為兒童指定監護人或代理人時，該等職責可由同一人、法人、機構或權責機關擔任。
(61)任何參與刑事訴訟程序且可能與被害人直接接觸之人員，均應接受適合其接觸被害人程度之適當的基礎與持續培訓，以便能識別被害人及其需求，並以尊重、具敏感度、專業且不歧視的方式對待被害人。參與個別評估以確認被害人特定保護需求，並判定其是否需採取特別保護措施的相關人員，應接受針對如何進行此類評估的特別培訓。會員國應確保為警察人員及法院職員提供此類訓練。同樣地，亦應推動對律師、檢察官及法官，以及提供被害人支援或修復式司法服務之實務工作者的培訓。前述培訓要求應包含如何將被害人轉介至適當的特定支援服務，或當其工作著重於有特定需求的被害人時，提供專業訓練，以及適當的特別心理培訓。在相關情況下，此類培訓應具備性別敏感度。會員國的培訓活動，應依據《布達佩斯路線圖》，輔以指導方針、建議及最佳實務交流。
(62)各會員國應鼓勵並與公民社會組織緊密合作，包括公認且積極從事犯罪被害人工作的非政府組織，特別是在政策制定倡議、資訊傳播與提高意識的社會運動、研究與教育的項目與培訓，以及監測和評估支援和保護犯罪被害人的措施的影響。為使犯罪被害人能得到適切的協助、支援與保護，公共服務機構應以協調一致的方式運作，並應涵蓋所有行政層級，包括歐盟、國家、區域與地方等層級。應協助被害人尋找並聯繫適當的權責機關，以避免重複轉介的情形。會員國應考慮建立「單一窗口」或「一站式服務」，以滿足被害人在刑事訴訟程序中的多元需求，包括資訊提供、協助、支援、保護與賠償需求。
(63)為鼓勵與促進舉報犯罪，並使被害人得以打破重複被害的循環，必須確保有可靠的支援服務可供被害人利用，且權責機關應準備好以尊重、具敏感度、專業且不歧視的態度回應被害人的報案。這有助於提高被害人對會員國刑事司法制度的信心，並減少未報案犯罪案件的數量。對於可能收到被害人舉報刑事犯罪的實務工作者，應接受適當訓練以協助報案，且應制定措施，以允許包括公民社會組織在內的第三方，代為報案。應可利用通訊科技，例如電子郵件、影像錄製或線上電子表單等方式進行報案。
(64)系統性且充分的統計數據收集，被認為是本指令規定權利領域內，有效制定政策的基本要素。為利於評估本指令的適用情形，會員國應向歐盟執委會通報國內有關犯罪被害人程序適用情形的相關統計數據，至少應包括已報案的犯罪數量與類型，以及在數據已知且可取得的範圍內，被害人的人數、年齡與性別。相關統計數據可包括由司法機關與執法機構所記錄的數據，以及，在可能範圍內，由醫療保健與社會福利服務機構、公立與非政府的被害人支援或修復式司法服務機構，及其他協助犯罪被害人的組織所彙編的行政數據。司法數據得包括關於已報案犯罪的資訊、被調查案件的數量，以及被起訴和判刑的人數。以服務為基礎的行政數據，應盡可能涵蓋被害人如何使用政府機構、公共與私人支援組織所提供之服務，例如警方轉介至被害人支援服務的案件數量，以及提出請求、獲得或未獲得支援或修復式司法服務的被害人數量。
(65)本指令旨在修正並擴充《架構決定2001/220/JHA》的規定。鑑於所作修訂在數量與性質上均屬重大，為求清晰明確，就參與通過本指令的會員國而言，該架構決定應予全部取代。
(66)本指令尊重基本權利，並遵守《歐盟基本權利憲章》所確認的各項原則。尤其致力於促進對尊嚴、生命、身心完整性、自由與安全、尊重隱私與家庭生活、財產權、免於歧視原則、男女平等原則、兒童、長者和身心障礙者權利，以及公正審判權利之保障。
(67)本指令旨在建立犯罪被害人權利、支援與保護的最低標準。考量本目標涉及的規模與可能產生的影響，若僅憑各會員國的力量難以充分實現，更適合透過歐盟層級採取措施予以達成。因此，歐盟得依據《歐盟條約》(TEU)第5條所規定的輔助性原則採取相關措施；同時依據該條的比例原則，本指令所制定的措施，不得超出達成上述目標所必要的範圍。
(68)實施本指令所處理的個人資料，其保護應遵循歐盟理事會2008年11月27日關於刑事案件警察與司法合作範圍內個人資料保護的《第2008/977/JHA號架構決定》*14，以及應符合歐洲理事會於1981年1月28日通過，並經全體會員國批准的《個人資料保護公約》所規定的原則。
(69)本指令不影響其他歐盟法律中，對特定類型被害人的特殊需求，例如人口販運、兒童性虐待或性剝削、兒童色情等，所訂定更具針對性且更為周延的相關規定。
(70)根據《歐洲條約》(TEU)與《歐盟運作條約》(TFEU)關於英國和愛爾蘭在自由、安全與司法領域立場附加議定書第21號第3條之規定，上述二會員國已通知將參與本指令的通過和實施。
(71)根據《歐洲條約》(TEU)與《歐盟運作條約》(TFEU)關於丹麥立場附加議定書第22號第1條與第2條之規定，丹麥不參與本指令之通過，亦不受其約束或適用。
(72)依據歐洲議會與歐盟理事會2000年12月18日為保護個人有關共同體組織及機構處理個人資料及自由流通《第45/2001號規則》第41條第2項之規定*16，歐盟資料保護監督機關已於2011年10月17日提出意見。*15
已施行本指令：
第一章 總則
第1條 目的
1.本指令之目的在確保犯罪被害人獲得適當的資訊、支援與保護，並能夠參與刑事訴訟程序。會員國應確保犯罪被害人在刑事訴訟程序中，與任何提供被害人支援、修復式司法的服務機構或權責機關進行接觸時，均以尊重、具敏感度、個人化、專業且不歧視的方式，受到承認和對待。本指令所規定的權利，應以不歧視的方式適用於所有被害人，包括不因其居留身分而有所區別。
2.會員國應確保於適用本指令時，若被害人為兒童，應以兒童最佳利益為首要考量，並進行個案評估。應優先採用具兒童敏感度的處理方式，並充分考量其年齡、成熟度、意見、需求與關切事項。任何特別針對兒童的措施或權利，均應告知兒童本人與親權所有人，以及任何其他法律代理人。
第2條 定義
1.下列定義適用於本指令：
(a)「被害人」係指
(i)因犯罪行為直接受有損害的自然人，包括身體、心理或情緒傷害，或經濟損失；
(ii)因犯罪行為直接導致死亡的自然人，其因此受有損害的家屬；
(b)「家屬」係指被害人的配偶、處於穩定持續且承諾維持親密關係的同居人、直系親屬、兄弟姐妹，以及受其扶養者；
(c)「兒童」係指未滿十八歲的人；
(d)「修復式司法」係指經被害人與加害人在自願同意的前提下，透過中立第三方的協助，共同積極參與解決犯罪所引發問題的任何程序。
2.會員國得訂定程序，以：
(a)考量個案具體情況，限制可依本指令享有權利的家屬人數；
(b)依本條第1項(a)款(ii)目的規定，決定各類家屬行使本指令享有權利的優先順序。
第二章 資訊和支援的提供
第3條 理解和被理解的權利
1.會員國應採取適當措施，協助被害人自初次接觸及後續刑事程序中，與權責機關進行任何必要互動時，能夠理解和被理解，包括理解權責機關提供的資訊。
2.會員國應確保與被害人的溝通，無論是口頭或書面，均以簡明易懂的語言進行，並應考量被害人的個人特質，包括任何可能影響其理解或被理解能力的身心障礙。
3.除有違反被害人利益或可能妨礙訴訟程序進行的情形，會員國應允許被害人於初次接觸權責機關時，由其自行選擇的人員陪同，尤其當被害人因犯罪影響而需要協助理解或被理解的情況。
第4條 初次接觸權責機關時獲得資訊的權利
1.會員國應確保被害人自初次接觸權責機關時，無不必要延遲地獲得下列資訊，以利其行使本指令所保障的權利：
(a)可獲得的支援類型和提供機構的基本資訊，包括醫療支援（如適用），各類專業支援（如心理支援），以及替代性安置服務；
(b)通報犯罪的程序，以及在相關刑事程序中的角色；
(c)獲得保護的方式和條件，包括可提供的保護措施；
(d)獲得法律諮詢、法律援助及各種類諮詢服務的方式和條件；
(e)獲得賠償的方式和條件；
(f)獲得口譯和筆譯服務的方式和條件；
(g)如果被害人並非犯罪行為地會員國的居民，初次接觸的權責機關所屬會員國為保護其權益所能運用的特殊措施、程序或安排；
(h)如果進行刑事訴訟程序的權責機關不尊重其權利時，可採取的申訴程序；
(i)就其案件進行溝通所需的聯絡資訊；
(j)可運用的修復式司法服務；
(k)請求償付因參與刑事訴訟程序所生費用的方式和條件。
2.前項所列資訊的內容與詳盡程度，得視被害人具體需求、個人狀況、犯罪類型和性質而有所不同。亦得於後續階段，依被害人的需求及與訴訟程序的關聯性，補充詳細的資訊。
第5條 被害人報案時的權利
1.會員國應確保，被害人向其權責機關正式提出報案時，能夠獲得一份書面報案證明，內容應載明該犯罪行為的基本要件。
2.會員國應確保，欲就刑事犯罪提出報案但無法理解或使用權責機關語言的被害人，得以其所理解的語言報案，或獲得必要的語言協助。
3.會員國應確保不理解或不使用權責機關語言的被害人，經其請求，得就第 1 項所規定的書面報案證明，免費獲得以其所理解語言作成的譯本。
第6條 獲得案件資訊的權利
1.會員國應確保被害人無不必要延遲地獲知其有權利，就因其所受刑事犯罪的報案而進行的訴訟程序，獲得下列資訊，並應於其提出請求時提供資訊：
(a)任何不進行偵查、結束偵查，或不對加害人提起公訴的決定；
(b)審判的時間、地點，以及控告加害人罪名的性質。
2.會員國應確保，犯罪被害人依其在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，無不必要延遲地獲知其有權利，就因其所受刑事犯罪的報案而進行的訴訟程序，獲得下列資訊，並應於其提出請求時提供資訊：
(a)任何審判的終局判決；
(b)可使被害人知悉訴訟程序情形的資訊，但對案件妥適處理可能產生不利影響的例外情形，得不提供該資訊。
3.依第1項第(a)款與第2項第(a)款提供的資訊，應包含相關決定的理由或簡短摘要。但依國內法規定不提供理由的案件，如陪審團裁決或理由屬機密資訊者，不在此限。
4.被害人是否獲得資訊的意願應約束權責機關，除非是被害人有權積極參與刑事訴訟程序而必須提供的資訊。各會員國應允許被害人隨時修改其意願，並應予以考量。
5.會員國應確保被害人有機會選擇，是否於與其相關的犯罪案件中，被羈押、起訴或判刑的加害人獲釋或逃脫時，無不必要遲延地獲得通知。此外，會員國亦應確保被害人獲知，於加害人獲釋或逃脫時可提供的任何相關保護措施。
6.被害人提出請求時，應提供第5項所列資訊，特別是在被害人面臨危險或有已辨識的傷害風險時，除非提供資訊可能對加害人造成已辨識的傷害風險，不在此限。
第7條 口譯與筆譯的權利
1.會員國應確保不理解或不使用相關刑事訴訟程序語言的被害人，經其請求，得依其在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，免費提供口譯服務。範圍至少應涵蓋偵查和司法機關進行的任何訪談或訊問（包括警察詢問），以及被害人積極參與的法院審理與任何必要的中間程序。
2.在不損害被告辯護權，並符合司法裁量原則的情形下，得使用如視訊會議、電話或網路等通訊科技進行口譯，除非為確保被害人適當行使權利或理解訴訟程序，必須由口譯人員親自到場。
3.會員國應確保不理解或不使用相關刑事訴訟程序語言的被害人，經其請求，得依其在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，在相關資訊已提供被害人的範圍內，就對其行使刑事訴訟程序權利的必要資訊，免費提供以其所理解語言作成的筆譯。相關資訊至少應包括任何終結與被害人所受刑事犯罪相關刑事訴訟程序的決定，並應於被害人請求時，包含該決定的理由或簡短摘要。但依國內法規定不提供理由的案件，如陪審團裁決或理由屬機密資訊者，不在此限。
4.會員國應確保，依第6條第1項(b)款有權獲知審判時間和地點的資訊，且不理解權責機關語言的被害人，經其請求，應就其有權獲知的資訊，提供筆譯。
5.被害人得提出具理由的請求，主張某文件屬必要資訊。必要文件中與被害人積極參與刑事訴訟程序無關的內容，無須筆譯。
6.即使第1項與第3項另有規定，必要文件得以口譯或摘要口譯代替書面翻譯，惟不得損及程序公正性。
7.會員國應確保權責機關評估是否有必要依第1項與第3項規定，向被害人提供口譯或筆譯服務。被害人對於不提供口譯或筆譯的決定，得提出異議。該異議的程序規則應由國內法規定。
8.本條所規定的口譯與筆譯服務，以及對不提供口譯或筆譯的決定所提出的異議，不應不合理地延長刑事訴訟程序。
第8條 獲得被害人支援服務的權利
1.會員國應確保被害人，於刑事訴訟程序之前、進行中及結束後的適當期間內，獲得免費、符合需求、保障權益，以及具保密性的被害人支援服務。家屬應依據其需求和被害人因犯罪行為受害的嚴重程度，獲得被害人支援服務。
2.會員國應確保受理報案的權責機關和其他相關單位，能有效轉介被害人至被害人支援服務。
3.會員國應採取措施，設立免費且具保密性的專業支援服務，得單獨設立，或整合設立在綜合性被害人支援服務中，亦得讓被害人支援組織對外尋求既有的專業機構提供服務。被害人應依其具體需求獲得專業服務，家屬亦應依據其具體需求和因犯罪行為受害的嚴重程度，獲得相應服務。
4.被害人支援服務和任何專業支援服務，得以公立或非政府組織的型態設立，並得以專業或志願的人員組成。
5.會員國應確保被害人獲得任何被害人支援服務，不以被害人向權責機關正式報案為前提。
第9條 被害人支援服務提供的支援
1.依第8條第1項所設的被害人支援服務，至少應提供下列服務：
(a)相關被害人權利的資訊、諮詢與支援，包括如何申請國家犯罪被害補償方案，以及被害人在刑事訴訟程序中的角色，包括出庭準備事宜
(b)提供專業支援服務的資訊，或直接轉介至適合的專業支援服務；
(c)情緒支持，以及可以提供的心理支持；
(d)為遭遇犯罪而面臨的經濟與生活困難，提供諮詢；
(e)針對二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復的風險與預防措施，提供諮詢。但其他公私立服務機構已提供者，不在此限。
2.會員國應鼓勵被害人支援服務特別關注因重大犯罪導致嚴重傷害的被害人的特殊需求。
3.依第8條第3項設立的專業支援服務，至少應發展並提供下列服務。但其他公私立服務機構已提供者，不在此限。
(a)為面臨二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復的急迫風險而需要安全環境的被害人，提供庇護處所或其他適當的暫時安置處所。
(b)為特殊需求的被害人提供具針對性且整合性的支援服務，例如：性暴力被害人、性別暴力被害人與親密關係暴力被害人，服務內容包括創傷支持與心理諮商等。
第3章 參與刑事訴訟程序
第10條 表達意見的權利
1.會員國應確保被害人在刑事訴訟程序中，得表達意見，並得提供證據。在聽取兒童被害人意見時，應充分考量其年齡與成熟度。
2.被害人在刑事訴訟程序中表達意見和提供證據的程序規則，應由國內法規定。
第11條 不起訴時的權利
1.會員國應確保被害人，依其在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，享有請求審查不起訴決定的權利。審查不起訴決定的程序規定，應由國內法規定。
2.若依國內法，被害人在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，僅在加害人被起訴後才確立，則會員國應確保至少重大犯罪的被害人，享有請求審查不起訴決定的權利。審查不起訴決定的程序規定，應由國內法規定。
3.會員國應確保被害人無不必要延遲地獲知享有請求審查不起訴決定的權利，並於其提出請求獲知不起訴決定時，同時提供足以判斷是否請求審查不起訴決定的必要資訊。
4.當不起訴決定是由最高檢察機關作成，依國內法無上級機關得審查，則得由該機關自行覆查。
5.如果檢察官的不起訴決定是基於國內法允許的庭外和解所做成，則本條第1項、第3項及第4項等規定，不適用。
第12條 修復式司法服務中被保障的權利
1.會員國應採取措施，在提供任何修復式司法服務時適用時，保障被害人免於二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復。此類措施應確保選擇參與修復式司法程序的被害人，獲得安全且具專業水準的修復式司法服務，並至少符合下列條件：
(a)僅在符合被害人利益，並符合安全考量的情況下，始得進行修復式司法服務，且應基於被害人自願知情的同意，並能隨時撤回；
(b)在被害人同意參與修復式司法程序之前，應提供完整且客觀的資訊，包括該程序的進行方式、可能結果，以及履行達成協議的監督程序等。
(c)加害人已經承認案件的基本事實；
(d)任何協議均係自願達成，並得於任何後續刑事訴訟程序中納入考量；
(e)修復式司法程序中非公開進行的討論應予以保密，且事後不得揭露，但經全體當事人同意，或依國內法為維護公共利益所必要者，不在此限。
2.會員國應促進將適當案件轉介至修復式司法服務，包括訂定轉介程序及條件指引。
第13條 獲得法律援助的權利
會員國應確保，具有刑事訴訟程序當事人身分的被害人，得以獲得法律援助。被害人獲得法律援助的條件或程序規定，應由國內法規定。
第14條 償付費用的權利
會員國應確保，參與刑事訴訟程序之被害人，得依其在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，就因其積極參與刑事訴訟程序所生的費用，請求償付費用。被害人獲得償付的條件或程序規則，應由國內法規定。
第15條 返還財產的權利
會員國應確保，當權責機關作成決定後，在刑事訴訟程序中遭扣押的可返還財產，除為刑事訴訟程序之目的所必要者外，應毫不遲延地歸還被害人。此類財產返還的條件或程序規則，應由國內法規定。
第16條 在刑事訴訟程序中裁判加害人賠償責任的權利
1.會員國應確保，被害人得於刑事訴訟程序中，在合理期間內獲得確認加害人賠償責任的裁判，但國內法規定得於其他法律程序作成此類裁判者，不在此限。
2.會員國應推動措施，鼓勵加害人向被害人進行充分的賠償。
第17條 居住於其他會員國的被害人權利
1.會員國應確保其權責機關能採取適當措施，以盡量減少當被害人是居住在犯罪發生地以外的其他會員國的居民時所面臨的困難，特別是訴訟程序的安排。為此，犯罪發生地會員國的權責機關應特別能夠：
(a)在被害人向權責機關就該刑事犯罪提出報案後，立即製作筆錄；
(b)在聽取居住於國外的被害人陳述時，盡量運用2000年5月29日《歐盟會員國間刑事司法互助公約》中*17，有關使用視訊會議與電話會議的規定。
2.會員國應確保，被害人在非居住地會員國遭受的犯罪行為，如被害人無法於犯罪發生地報案，或就該國國內法所認定的重大犯罪案件不願在該國報案者，得向其居住地會員國的權責機關提出報案。
3.會員國應確保，在受理報案的會員國尚未行使程序管轄權前，受理報案的權責機關應毫不遲延將該報案移送至犯罪行為發生地會員國的權責機關。
第四章 被害人的保護和識別具特殊保護需求的被害人
第18條 獲得保護的權利
在不損害被告辯護權的前提下，會員國應確保提供措施，以保護被害人和家屬免於二次和重複被害、免於恐嚇和報復，包括免於遭受情緒或心理傷害的風險，並於訊問和作證時保護被害人的尊嚴。必要時，此類措施也包括在國內法中，建立保護被害人和家屬人身安全的程序。
第19條 避免被害人與加害人接觸的權利
1.會員國應建立必要條件，使被害人和家屬於必要時得在進行刑事訴訟程序的場所內，避免與加害人接觸，除非是在刑事訴訟程序中要求的接觸。
2.會員國應確保新建法院的設施，設有被害人專用的獨立等候區。
第20條 刑事偵查期間被害人受保護的權利
在不損害被告辯護權且符合司法裁量規則的前提下，會員國應確保在刑事偵查期間：
(a)於被害人向權責機關就刑事犯罪提出報案後，應無不當延遲地進行對被害人的詢問；
(b)對被害人的詢問次數應減至最低，且僅在為刑事偵查確有必要時，方得詢問；
(c)被害人得由法律代理人和自行選擇的一人陪同，除非另有具理由的決定，方得限制；
(d)醫學檢驗應減至最低，且僅在為刑事訴訟程序確有必要時，方得進行。
第21條 保護隱私的權利
1.會員國應確保權責機關在刑事訴訟程序期間，得採取適當措施，以保護被害人和家屬的隱私和影像，包括依第22條所規定的個別評估中所考量的被害人個人特徵。此外，會員國應確保權責機關得採取一切法律措施，以防止公開散布任何可能導致識別出兒童被害人身分的資訊。
2.為保護被害人的隱私、人格完整性及個人資料，會員國應在尊重言論與資訊自由，以及媒體自由與多元性的前提下，鼓勵媒體採取自律措施。
第22條 個別評估以識別被害人的特殊保護需求
1.會員國應確保被害人能依據該國程序，獲得及時的個別評估，以識別其特殊保護需求，並決定其是否與在何種程度上，因其特別容易遭受二次和重複被害、恐嚇和報復，得在刑事訴訟程序中受益於第23條與第24條所提供的特別措施。
2.個別評估尤應考量：
(a)被害人的個人特徵；
(b)犯罪的類型或性質；
(c)犯罪的情節。
3.在進行個別評估時，應特別關注：因重大犯罪導致嚴重傷害的被害人；遭受基於偏見或歧視動機犯罪的被害人，特別是與其個人特徵相關者；以及因與加害人的關係和依賴而特別脆弱的被害人。就此而言，恐怖主義、組織犯罪、人口販運、性別暴力、親密關係暴力、性暴力、剝削或仇恨犯罪的被害人，以及身心障礙被害人，均應受到充分考量。
4.就本指令而言，兒童被害人應被推定具有特殊保護需求，因其對二次和重複被害、恐嚇及報復特別脆弱。為確定兒童被害人是否需要，以及在何種程度上能夠受益於第23條與第24條所提供的特別措施，應依本條第1項規定進行個別評估。
5.個別評估的範圍得依犯罪的重大性，以及被害人所受傷害的嚴重程度，進行調整。
6.個別評估應在被害人密切參與下進行，並考量其意願，包括其不願接受第23條和第24條規定的特別措施的情況。
7.若構成個別評估基礎的要件有重大變更時，會員國應確保於整個刑事訴訟程序期間，隨時更新個別評估。
第23條 具特殊保護需求被害人在刑事訴訟程序期間受保護的權利
1.在不損害被告辯護權且符合司法裁量規則的前提下，會員國應確保，經依第22條第1項所規定的個別評估而被識別出能受益於特別措施，且具特殊保護需求的被害人，得受益於本條第2項與第3項所規定的措施。若因操作或實務上的限制因素使其無法進行時，或若有詢問被害人的緊急需要，且未能進行詢問可能損害被害人或他人，或有可能妨礙訴訟程序進行時，個別評估後所規劃的特別措施得不實施。
2.下列措施在於刑事偵查期間，應提供依第22條第1項識別出具特殊保護需求的被害人：
(a)在專為此目的設計或改善的場所內，進行被害人的詢問；
(b)由受過相關專業訓練的人員進行或透過其進行被害人的詢問；
(c)除非妨礙司法正常運作，對被害人的所有訊問應由相同人員負責；
(d)對性暴力、性別暴力或親密關係暴力被害人的所有訊問，除由檢察官或法官親自進行者外，如被害人提出要求，在不妨礙刑事訴訟程序的前提下，應由與被害人同性別的人員進行。
3.下列措施在法院訴訟程序期間，應提供依第22條第1項識別出具特殊保護需求的被害人：
(a)採取避免被害人與加害人發生視覺接觸的措施，尤其在作證期間，包括採用適當的通訊科技。
(b)採取被害人不必親自到庭也能作證的措施，尤其是採用適當的通訊科技；
(c)避免就被害人私生活無關刑事犯罪的部分，進行不必要的詢問；
(d)允許不公開審理。
第24條 刑事訴訟程序中保障兒童被害人的權利
1.除第23條所定措施外，會員國應確保在被害人為兒童時：
(a)刑事偵查階段，對兒童被害人的所有詢問得以影音記錄，且該紀錄得作為刑事訴訟程序的證據；
(b)在刑事偵查和訴訟程序中，依據被害人在相關刑事司法制度中的角色，於下列情形由權責機關為兒童被害人指定特別代理人。依國內法，親權所有人與兒童被害人間有利益衝突而不得代理其權益，或兒童被害人無人陪同或與家庭分離的情形；
(c)在其與親權所有人之間存在或可能存在利益衝突的訴訟程序中， 兒童被害人有權聘請律師，並以自己名義接受法律諮詢和代理。
本項第(a)款所稱影音記錄和使用的程序規則，應由國內法規定。
2.被害人年齡不明且有理由相信該被害人為兒童時，就本指令而言，推定其為兒童。
第五章 其他規定
第25條 實務工作者的培訓
1.會員國應確保可能與被害人接觸的公務人員，如警察人員與法院職員，依其與被害人接觸的程度，接受相當的一般和專業性培訓，以增進對被害人需求的認識，使其能以公正、尊重和專業的態度對待被害人。
2.在不損害司法獨立，並考量歐盟各國司法體系組織差異的前提下，會員國應要求負責培訓參與刑事訴訟程序的法官和檢察官的機構，提供一般和專業性培訓，以提高法官和檢察官對被害人需求的認識。
3.在充分尊重法律專業獨立性的前提下，會員國應建議負責律師培訓的機構，提供一般和專業性培訓，以提高律師對被害人需求的認識。
4.會員國應透過公共服務或資助被害人支援組織，鼓勵相關倡議，使提供被害人支援與修復式司法服務的人員，依其與被害人接觸的程度，接受相當的培訓，並遵守專業標準，確保能以公正、尊重和專業的態度提供服務。
5.依據實務人員的職責，以及與被害人接觸的性質與程度，培訓實務工作者能夠識別被害人，並以尊重、專業和不歧視的態度對待被害人。
第26條 服務的合作與協調
1.會員國應採取適當行動，以促進會員國間的合作，促進被害人行使本指令和國內法所規定的權利。此項合作至少應涵蓋：
(a)交流最佳實務作法；
(b)個案諮詢；
(c)協助歐洲網絡處理與被害人權利直接相關的事務。
2.會員國應採取適當行動，包括運用網際網路，以提升社會對本指令所規定權利的認識，降低被害風險，並降低犯罪造成的負面影響，以及二次和重複被害、恐嚇與報復的風險，尤其應聚焦於兒童、性別暴力被害人和親密關係暴力被害人等高風險族群。相關行動包括資訊宣導與倡議行動，以及研究與教育計畫，並適當地與相關公民社會組織及其他利害關係人進行合作。
第6章 最終條款
第27條 轉置
1.會員國應至遲於2015年11月16日前，施行為遵守本指令所必要的法律、命令和行政規則。
2.會員國在施行前項法令時，應於法令中引用本指令，或在官方公報中引用本指令。引用方式由各會員國自行決定。
第28條 資料與統計數據的提供
會員國應至遲於2017年11月16日前，其後每三年一次，向歐盟執委會通報現有資料，以呈現被害人如何行使本指令所規定的權利。
第29條 報告
歐盟執委會應至遲於2017年11月16日前，向歐洲議會和歐盟理事會提交報告，評估會員國為遵守本指令已採取必要措施的情形，報告中應包含依第8條、第9條及第23條所採取行動的說明，並於必要時隨附立法提案。
第30條 取代《架構決定2001/220/JHA》
就參與本指令施行的會員國而言，本指令立即取代《架構決定 2001/220/JHA》，但不影響會員國將本指令轉換為國內法的期限義務。
就參與本指令施行的會員國而言，原引用《架構決定 2001/220/JHA》的文件，均應視為引用本指令。
第31條 生效
本指令應自刊登於《歐盟官方公報》次日起生效。
第32條 發布
依據各項條約規定，本指令對會員國發布。
完成於史特拉斯堡，2012年10月25日。
歐洲議會 主席 舒爾茨
歐盟理事會 主席 馬羅伊安尼斯
附註：
(1) OJC 43, 15.2.2012, p.39.
(2) OJC 113, 18.4.2012, p.56.
(3) Position of the European Parliament of 12 September 2012 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 4 October 2012.
(4) OJL 82, 22.3.2001, p.1.
(5) OJC 115, 4.5.2010, p.1.
(6) OJC 187, 28.6.2011, p.1.
(7) OJC 285E, 21.10.2010, p.53.
(8) OJC 296E, 2.10.2012, p.26.
(9) OJL 338, 21.12.2011, p.2.
(10) OJL 101, 15.4.2011, p.1.
(11) OJL 335, 17.12.2011, p.1.
(12) OJL 164, 22.6.2002, p.3.
(13) OJL 328, 15.12.2009, p.42.
(14) OJL 350, 30.12.2008, p.60.
(15) OJC 35, 9.2.2012, p.10.
(16) OJL 8, 12.1.2001, p.1.
(17) OJC 197, 12.7.2000, p.3.
DIRECTIVE 2012/29/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2012
establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 82(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (3),
Whereas:
(1) The Union has set itself the objective of maintaining and developing an area of freedom, security and justice, the cornerstone of which is the mutual recognition of judicial decisions in civil and criminal matters.
(2) The Union is committed to the protection of, and to the establishment of minimum standards in regard to, victims of crime and the Council has adopted Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA of 15 March 2001 on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings (4). Under the Stockholm Programme – An open and secure Europe serving and protecting citizens (5), adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 10 and 11 December 2009, the Commission and the Member States were asked to examine how to improve legislation and practical support measures for the protection of victims, with particular attention paid to, support for and recognition of, all victims, including for victims of terrorism, as a priority.
(3) Article 82(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides for the establishment of minimum rules applicable in the Member States to facilitate mutual recognition of judgments and judicial decisions and police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters having a cross-border dimension, in particular with regard to the rights of victims of crime.
(4) In its resolution of 10 June 2011 on a roadmap for strengthening the rights and protection of victims, in particular in criminal proceedings (6) (‘the Budapest roadmap’), the Council stated that action should be taken at Union level in order to strengthen the rights of, support for, and protection of victims of crime. To that end and in accordance with that resolution, this Directive aims to revise and supplement the principles set out in Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA and to take significant steps forward in the level of protection of victims throughout the Union, in particular within the framework of criminal proceedings.
(5) The resolution of the European Parliament of 26 November 2009 on the elimination of violence against women (7) called on the Member States to improve their national laws and policies to combat all forms of violence against women and to act in order to tackle the causes of violence against women, not least by employing preventive measures, and called on the Union to guarantee the right to assistance and support for all victims of violence.
(6) In its resolution of 5 April 2011 on priorities and outline of a new EU policy framework to fight violence against women (8) the European Parliament proposed a strategy to combat violence against women, domestic violence and female genital mutilation as a basis for future legislative criminal-law instruments against gender-based violence including a framework to fight violence against women (policy, prevention, protection, prosecution, provision and partnership) to be followed up by a Union action plan. International regulation within this area includes the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted on 18 December 1979, the CEDAW Committee's recommendations and decisions, and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence adopted on 7 April 2011.
(7) Directive 2011/99/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the European protection order (9) establishes a mechanism for the mutual recognition of protection measures in criminal matters between Member States. Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims (10) and Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (11) address, inter alia, the specific needs of the particular categories of victims of human trafficking, child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography.
(8) Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism (12) recognises that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious violations of the principles on which the Union is based, including the principle of democracy, and confirms that it constitutes, inter alia, a threat to the free exercise of human rights.
(9) Crime is a wrong against society as well as a violation of the individual rights of victims. As such, victims of crime should be recognised and treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner without discrimination of any kind based on any ground such as race, colour, ethnic or
social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, residence status or health. In all contacts with a competent authority operating within the context of criminal proceedings, and any service coming into contact with victims, such as victim support or restorative justice services, the personal situation and immediate needs, age, gender, possible disability and maturity of victims of crime should be taken into account while fully respecting their physical, mental and moral integrity. Victims of crime should be protected from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, should receive appropriate support to facilitate their recovery and should be provided with sufficient access to justice.
(10) This Directive does not address the conditions of the residence of victims of crime in the territory of the Member States. Member States should take the necessary measures to ensure that the rights set out in this Directive are not made conditional on the victim's residence status in their territory or on the victim's citizenship or nationality. Reporting a crime and participating in criminal proceedings do not create any rights regarding the residence status of the victim.
(11) This Directive lays down minimum rules. Member States may extend the rights set out in this Directive in order to provide a higher level of protection.
(12) The rights set out in this Directive are without prejudice to the rights of the offender. The term ‘offender’ refers to a person who has been convicted of a crime. However, for the purposes of this Directive, it also refers to a suspected or accused person before any acknowledgement of guilt or conviction, and it is without prejudice to the presumption of innocence.
(13) This Directive applies in relation to criminal offences committed in the Union and to criminal proceedings that take place in the Union. It confers rights on victims of extra-territorial offences only in relation to criminal proceedings that take place in the Union. Complaints made to competent authorities outside the Union, such as embassies, do not trigger the obligations set out in this Directive.
(14) In applying this Directive, children's best interests must be a primary consideration, in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted on 20 November 1989. Child victims should be considered and treated as the full bearers of rights set out in this Directive and should be entitled to exercise those rights in a manner that takes into account their capacity to form their own views.
(15) In applying this Directive, Member States should ensure that victims with disabilities are able to benefit fully from the rights set out in this Directive, on an equal basis with others, including by facilitating the accessibility to premises where criminal proceedings are conducted and access to information.
(16) Victims of terrorism have suffered attacks that are intended ultimately to harm society. They may therefore need special attention, support and protection due to the particular nature of the crime that has been committed against them. Victims of terrorism can be under significant public scrutiny and often need social recognition and respectful treatment by society. Member States should therefore take particular account of the needs of victims of terrorism, and should seek to protect their dignity and security.
(17) Violence that is directed against a person because of that person's gender, gender identity or gender expression or that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately, is understood as gender-based violence. It may result in physical, sexual, emotional or psychological harm, or economic loss, to the victim. Gender-based violence is understood to be a form of discrimination and a violation of the fundamental freedoms of the victim and includes violence in close relationships, sexual violence (including rape, sexual assault and harassment), trafficking in human beings, slavery, and different forms of harmful practices, such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation and so-called ‘honour crimes’. Women victims of gender-based violence and their children often require special support and protection because of the high risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation connected with such violence.
(18) Where violence is committed in a close relationship, it is committed by a person who is a current or former spouse, or partner or other family member of the victim, whether or not the offender shares or has shared the same household with the victim. Such violence could cover physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence and could result in physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss. Violence in close relationships is a serious and often hidden social problem which could cause systematic psychological and physical trauma with severe consequences because the offender is a person whom the victim should be able to trust. Victims of violence in close relationships may therefore be in need of special protection measures. Women are affected disproportionately by this type of violence and the situation can be worse if the woman is dependent on the offender economically, socially or as regards her right to residence.
(19) A person should be considered to be a victim regardless of whether an offender is identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted and regardless of the familial relationship between them. It is possible that family members of victims are also harmed as a result of the crime. In particular, family members of a person whose death has been directly caused by a criminal offence could be harmed as a result of the crime. Such family members, who are indirect victims of the crime, should therefore also benefit from protection under this Directive. However, Member States should be able to establish procedures to limit the number of family members who can benefit from the rights set out in this Directive. In the case of a child, the child or, unless this is not in the best interests of the child, the holder of parental responsibilty on behalf of the child, should be entitled to exercise the rights set out in this Directive. This Directive is without prejudice to any national administrative procedures required to establish that a person is a victim.
(20) The role of victims in the criminal justice system and whether they can participate actively in criminal proceedings vary across Member States, depending on the national system, and is determined by one or more of the following criteria: whether the national system provides for a legal status as a party to criminal proceedings; whether the victim is under a legal requirement or is requested to participate actively in criminal proceedings, for example as a witness; and/or whether the victim has a legal entitlement under national law to participate actively in criminal proceedings and is seeking to do so, where the national system does not provide that victims have the legal status of a party to the criminal proceedings. Member States should determine which of those criteria apply to determine the scope of rights set out in this Directive where there are references to the role of the victim in the relevant criminal justice system.
(21) Information and advice provided by competent authorities, victim support services and restorative justice services should, as far as possible, be given by means of a range of media and in a manner which can be understood by the victim. Such information and advice should be provided in simple and accessible language. It should also be ensured that the victim can be understood during proceedings. In this respect, the victim's knowledge of the language used to provide information, age, maturity, intellectual and emotional capacity, literacy and any mental or physical impairment should be taken into account. Particular account should be taken of difficulties in understanding or communicating which may be due to a disability of some kind, such as hearing or speech impediments. Equally, limitations on a victim's ability to communicate information should be taken into account during criminal proceedings.
(22) The moment when a complaint is made should, for the purposes of this Directive, be considered as falling within the context of the criminal proceedings. This should also include situations where authorities initiate criminal proceedings ex officio as a result of a criminal offence suffered by a victim.
(23) Information about reimbursement of expenses should be provided, from the time of the first contact with a competent authority, for example in a leaflet stating the basic conditions for such reimbursement of expenses. Member States should not be required, at this early stage of the criminal proceedings, to decide on whether the victim concerned fulfils the conditions for reimbursement of expenses.
(24) When reporting a crime, victims should receive a written acknowledgement of their complaint from the police, stating the basic elements of the crime, such as the type of crime, the time and place, and any damage or harm caused by the crime. This acknowledgement should include a file number and the time and place for reporting of the crime in order to serve as evidence that the crime has been reported, for example in relation to insurance claims.
(25) Without prejudice to rules relating to limitation periods, the delayed reporting of a criminal offence due to fear of retaliation, humiliation or stigmatisation should not result in refusing acknowledgement of the victim's complaint.
(26) When providing information, sufficient detail should be given to ensure that victims are treated in a respectful manner and to enable them to make informed decisions about their participation in proceedings. In this respect, information allowing the victim to know about the current status of any proceedings is particularly important. This is equally relevant for information to enable a victim to decide whether to request a review of a decision not to prosecute. Unless otherwise required, it should be possible to provide the information communicated to the victim orally or in writing, including through electronic means.
(27) Information to a victim should be provided to the last known correspondence address or electronic contact details given to the competent authority by the victim. In exceptional cases, for example due to the high number of victims involved in a case, it should be possible to provide information through the press, through an official website of the competent authority or through a similar communication channel.
(28) Member States should not be obliged to provide information where disclosure of that information could affect the proper handling of a case or harm a given case or person, or if they consider it contrary to the essential interests of their security.
(29) Competent authorities should ensure that victims receive updated contact details for communication about their case unless the victim has expressed a wish not to receive such information.
(30) A reference to a ‘decision’ in the context of the right to information, interpretation and translation, should be understood only as a reference to the finding of guilt or otherwise ending criminal proceedings. The reasons for that decision should be provided to the victim through a copy of the document which contains that decision or through a brief summary of them.
(31) The right to information about the time and place of a trial resulting from the complaint with regard to a criminal offence suffered by the victim should also apply to information about the time and place of a hearing related to an appeal of a judgment in the case.
(32) Specific information about the release or the escape of the offender should be given to victims, upon request, at least in cases where there might be a danger or an identified risk of harm to the victims, unless there is an identified risk of harm to the offender which would result from the notification. Where there is an identified risk of harm to the offender which would result from the notification, the competent authority should take into account all other risks when determining an appropriate action. The reference to ‘identified risk of harm to the victims’ should cover such factors as the nature and severity of the crime and the risk of retaliation. Therefore, it should not be applied to those situations where minor offences were committed and thus where there is only a slight risk of harm to the victim.
(33) Victims should receive information about any right to appeal of a decision to release the offender, if such a right exists in national law.
(34) Justice cannot be effectively achieved unless victims can properly explain the circumstances of the crime and provide their evidence in a manner understandable to the competent authorities. It is equally important to ensure that victims are treated in a respectful manner and that they are able to access their rights. Interpretation should therefore be made available, free of charge, during questioning of the victim and in order to enable them to participate actively in court hearings, in accordance with the role of the victim in the relevant criminal justice system. For other aspects of criminal proceedings, the need for interpretation and translation can vary depending on specific issues, the role of the victim in the relevant criminal justice system and his or her involvement in proceedings and any specific rights they have. As such, interpretation and translation for these other cases need only be provided to the extent necessary for victims to exercise their rights.
(35) The victim should have the right to challenge a decision finding that there is no need for interpretation or translation, in accordance with procedures in national law. That right does not entail the obligation for Member States to provide for a separate mechanism or complaint procedure in which such decision may be challenged and should not unreasonably prolong the criminal proceedings. An internal review of the decision in accordance with existing national procedures would suffice.
(36) The fact that a victim speaks a language which is not widely spoken should not, in itself, be grounds to decide that interpretation or translation would unreasonably prolong the criminal proceedings.
(37) Support should be available from the moment the competent authorities are aware of the victim and throughout criminal proceedings and for an appropriate time after such proceedings in accordance with the needs of the victim and the rights set out in this Directive. Support should be provided through a variety of means, without excessive formalities and through a sufficient geographical distribution across the Member State to allow all victims the opportunity to access such services. Victims who have suffered considerable harm due to the severity of the crime could require specialist support services.
(38) Persons who are particularly vulnerable or who find themselves in situations that expose them to a particularly high risk of harm, such as persons subjected to repeat violence in close relationships, victims of gender-based violence, or persons who fall victim to other types of crime in a Member State of which they are not nationals or residents, should be provided with specialist support and legal protection. Specialist support services should be based on an integrated and targeted approach which should, in particular, take into account the specific needs of victims, the severity of the harm suffered as a result of a criminal offence, as well as the relationship between victims, offenders, children and their wider social environment. A main task of these services and their staff, which play an important role in supporting the victim to recover from and overcome potential harm or trauma as a result of a criminal offence, should be to inform victims about the rights set out in this Directive so that they can take decisions in a supportive environment that treats them with dignity, respect and sensitivity. The types of support that such specialist support services should offer could include providing shelter and safe accommodation, immediate medical support, referral to medical and forensic examination for evidence in cases of rape or sexual assault, short and long-term psychological counselling, trauma care, legal advice, advocacy and specific services for children as direct or indirect victims.
(39) Victim support services are not required to provide extensive specialist and professional expertise themselves. If necessary, victim support services should assist victims in calling on existing professional support, such as psychologists.
(40) Although the provision of support should not be dependent on victims making a complaint with regard to a criminal offence to a competent authority such as the police, such authorities are often best placed to inform victims of the possibility of support. Member States are therefore encouraged to establish appropriate conditions to enable the referral of victims to victim support services, including by ensuring that data protection requirements can be and are adhered to. Repeat referrals should be avoided.
(41) The right of victims to be heard should be considered to have been fulfilled where victims are permitted to make statements or explanations in writing.
(42) The right of child victims to be heard in criminal proceedings should not be precluded solely on the basis that the victim is a child or on the basis of that victim's age.
(43) The right to a review of a decision not to prosecute should be understood as referring to decisions taken by prosecutors and investigative judges or law enforcement authorities such as police officers, but not to the decisions taken by courts. Any review of a decision not to prosecute should be carried out by a different person or authority to that which made the original decision, unless the initial decision not to prosecute was taken by the highest prosecuting authority, against whose decision no review can be made, in which case the review may be carried out by that same authority. The right to a review of a decision not to prosecute does not concern special procedures, such as proceedings against members of parliament or government, in relation to the exercise of their official position.
(44) A decision ending criminal proceedings should include situations where a prosecutor decides to withdraw charges or discontinue proceedings.
(45) A decision of the prosecutor resulting in an out-of-court settlement and thus ending criminal proceedings, excludes victims from the right to a review of a decision of the prosecutor not to prosecute, only if the settlement imposes a warning or an obligation.
(46) Restorative justice services, including for example victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing and sentencing circles, can be of great benefit to the victim, but require safeguards to prevent secondary and repeat victimisation, intimidation and retaliation. Such services should therefore have as a primary consideration the interests and needs of the victim, repairing the harm done to the victim and avoiding further harm. Factors such as the nature and severity of the crime, the ensuing degree of trauma, the repeat violation of a victim's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity, power imbalances, and the age, maturity or intellectual capacity of the victim, which could limit or reduce the victim's ability to make an informed choice or could prejudice a positive outcome for the victim, should be taken into consideration in referring a case to the restorative justice services and in conducting a restorative justice process. Restorative justice processes should, in principle, be confidential, unless agreed otherwise by the parties, or as required by national law due to an overriding public interest. Factors such as threats made or any forms of violence committed during the process may be considered as requiring disclosure in the public interest.
(47) Victims should not be expected to incur expenses in relation to their participation in criminal proceedings. Member States should be required to reimburse only necessary expenses of victims in relation to their participation in criminal proceedings and should not be required to reimburse victims' legal fees. Member States should be able to impose conditions in regard to the reimbursement of expenses in national law, such as time limits for claiming reimbursement, standard rates for subsistence and travel costs and maximum daily amounts for loss of earnings. The right to reimbursement of expenses in criminal proceedings should not arise in a situation where a victim makes a statement on a criminal offence. Expenses should only be covered to the extent that the victim is obliged or requested by the competent authorities to be present and actively participate in the criminal proceedings.
(48) Recoverable property which is seized in criminal proceedings should be returned as soon as possible to the victim of the crime, subject to exceptional circumstances, such as in a dispute concerning the ownership or where the possession of the property or the property itself is illegal. The right to have property returned should be without prejudice to its legitimate retention for the purposes of other legal proceedings.
(49) The right to a decision on compensation from the offender and the relevant applicable procedure should also apply to victims resident in a Member State other than the Member State where the criminal offence was committed.
(50) The obligation set out in this Directive to transmit complaints should not affect Member States' competence to institute proceedings and is without prejudice to the rules of conflict relating to the exercise of jurisdiction, as laid down in Council Framework Decision 2009/948/JHA of 30 November 2009 on prevention and settlement of conflicts of exercise of jurisdiction in criminal proceedings (13).
(51) If the victim has left the territory of the Member State where the criminal offence was committed, that Member State should no longer be obliged to provide assistance, support and protection except for what is directly related to any criminal proceedings it is conducting regarding the criminal offence concerned, such as special protection measures during court proceedings. The Member State of the victim's residence should provide assistance, support and protection required for the victim's need to recover.
(52) Measures should be available to protect the safety and dignity of victims and their family members from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, such as interim injunctions or protection or restraining orders.
(53) The risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation by the offender or as a result of participation in criminal proceedings should be limited by carrying out proceedings in a coordinated and respectful manner, enabling victims to establish trust in authorities. Interaction with competent authorities should be as easy as possible whilst limiting the number of unnecessary interactions the victim has with them through, for example, video recording of interviews and allowing its use in court proceedings. As wide a range of measures as possible should be made available to practitioners to prevent distress to the victim during court proceedings in particular as a result of visual contact with the offender, his or her family, associates or members of the public. To that end, Member States should be encouraged to introduce, especially in relation to court buildings and police stations, feasible and practical measures enabling the facilities to include amenities such as separate entrances and waiting areas for victims. In addition, Member States should, to the extent possible, plan the criminal proceedings so that contacts between victims and their family members and offenders are avoided, such as by summoning victims and offenders to hearings at different times.
(54) Protecting the privacy of the victim can be an important means of preventing secondary and repeat victimisation, intimidation and retaliation and can be achieved through a range of measures including non-disclosure or limitations on the disclosure of information concerning the identity and whereabouts of the victim. Such protection is particularly important for child victims, and includes non-disclosure of the name of the child. However, there might be cases where, exceptionally, the child can benefit from the disclosure or even widespread publication of information, for example where a child has been abducted. Measures to protect the privacy and images of victims and of their family members should always be consistent with the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, as recognised in Articles 6 and 10, respectively, of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
(55) Some victims are particularly at risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation by the offender during criminal proceedings. It is possible that such a risk derives from the personal characteristics of the victim or the type, nature or circumstances of the crime. Only through individual assessments, carried out at the earliest opportunity, can such a risk be effectively identified. Such assessments should be carried out for all victims to determine whether they are at risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation and what special protection measures they require.
(56) Individual assessments should take into account the personal characteristics of the victim such as his or her age, gender and gender identity or expression, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, health, disability, residence status, communication difficulties, relationship to or dependence on the offender and previous experience of crime. They should also take into account the type or nature and the circumstances of the crime such as whether it is a hate crime, a bias crime or a crime committed with a discriminatory motive, sexual violence, violence in a close relationship, whether the offender was in a position of control, whether the victim's residence is in a high crime or gang dominated area, or whether the victim's country of origin is not the Member State where the crime was committed.
(57) Victims of human trafficking, terrorism, organised crime, violence in close relationships, sexual violence or exploitation, gender-based violence, hate crime, and victims with disabilities and child victims tend to experience a high rate of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation. Particular care should be taken when assessing whether such victims are at risk of such victimisation, intimidation and of retaliation and there should be a strong presumption that those victims will benefit from special protection measures.
(58) Victims who have been identified as vulnerable to secondary and repeat victimisation, to intimidation and to retaliation should be offered appropriate measures to protect them during criminal proceedings. The exact nature of such measures should be determined through the individual assessment, taking into account the wish of the victim. The extent of any such measure should be determined without prejudice to the rights of the defence and in accordance with rules of judicial discretion. The victims' concerns and fears in relation to proceedings should be a key factor in determining whether they need any particular measure.
(59) Immediate operational needs and constraints may make it impossible to ensure, for example, that the same police officer consistently interview the victim; illness, maternity or parental leave are examples of such constraints. Furthermore, premises specially designed for interviews with victims may not be available due, for example, to renovation. In the event of such operational or practical constraints, a special measure envisaged following an individual assessment may not be possible to provide on a case-by-case basis.
(60) Where, in accordance with this Directive, a guardian or a representative is to be appointed for a child, those roles could be performed by the same person or by a legal person, an institution or an authority.
(61) Any officials involved in criminal proceedings who are likely to come into personal contact with victims should be able to access and receive appropriate initial and ongoing training, to a level appropriate to their contact with victims, so that they are able to identify victims and their needs and deal with them in a respectful, sensitive, professional and non-discriminatory manner. Persons who are likely to be involved in the individual assessment to identify victims' specific protection needs and to determine their need for special protection measures should receive specific training on how to carry out such an assessment. Member States should ensure such training for police services and court staff. Equally, training should be promoted for lawyers, prosecutors and judges and for practitioners who provide victim support or restorative justice services. This requirement should include training on the specific support services to which victims should be referred or specialist training where their work focuses on victims with specific needs and specific psychological training, as appropriate. Where relevant, such training should be gender sensitive. Member States' actions on training should be complemented by guidelines, recommendations and exchange of best practices in accordance with the Budapest roadmap.
(62) Member States should encourage and work closely with civil society organisations, including recognised and active non-governmental organisations working with victims of crime, in particular in policymaking initiatives, information and awareness-raising campaigns, research and education programmes and in training, as well as in monitoring and evaluating the impact of measures to support and protect victims of crime. For victims of crime to receive the proper degree of assistance, support and protection, public services should work in a coordinated manner and should be involved at all administrative levels — at Union level, and at national, regional and local level. Victims should be assisted in finding and addressing the competent authorities in order to avoid repeat referrals. Member States should consider developing ‘sole points of access’ or ‘one-stop shops’, that address victims' multiple needs when involved in criminal proceedings, including the need to receive information, assistance, support, protection and compensation.
(63) In order to encourage and facilitate reporting of crimes and to allow victims to break the cycle of repeat victimisation, it is essential that reliable support services are available to victims and that competent authorities are prepared to respond to victims' reports in a respectful, sensitive, professional and non-discriminatory manner. This could increase victims' confidence in the criminal justice systems of Member States and reduce the number of unreported crimes. Practitioners who are likely to receive complaints from victims with regard to criminal offences should be appropriately trained to facilitate reporting of crimes, and measures should be put in place to enable third-party reporting, including by civil society organisations. It should be possible to make use of communication technology, such as e-mail, video recordings or online electronic forms for making complaints.
(64) Systematic and adequate statistical data collection is recognised as an essential component of effective policymaking in the field of rights set out in this Directive. In order to facilitate evaluation of the application of this Directive, Member States should communicate to the Commission relevant statistical data related to the application of national procedures on victims of crime, including at least the number and type of the reported crimes and, as far as such data are known and are available, the number and age and gender of the victims. Relevant statistical data can include data recorded by the judicial authorities and by law enforcement agencies and, as far as possible, administrative data compiled by healthcare and social welfare services and by public and non-governmental victim support or restorative justice services and other organisations working with victims of crime. Judicial data can include information about reported crime, the number of cases that are investigated and persons prosecuted and sentenced. Service-based administrative data can include, as far as possible, data on how victims are using services provided by government agencies and public and private support organisations, such as the number of referrals by police to victim support services, the number of victims that request, receive or do not receive support or restorative justice.
(65) This Directive aims to amend and expand the provisions of Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA. Since the amendments to be made are substantial in number and nature, that Framework Decision should, in the interests of clarity, be replaced in its entirety in relation to Member States participating in the adoption of this Directive.
(66) This Directive respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, it seeks to promote the right to dignity, life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security, respect for private and family life, the right to property, the principle of non-discrimination, the principle of equality between women and men, the rights of the child, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and the right to a fair trial.
(67) Since the objective of this Directive, namely to establish minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, and can therefore, by reason of its scale and potential effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
(68) Personal data processed when implementing this Directive should be protected in accordance with Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA of 27 November 2008 on the protection of personal data processed in the framework of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (14) and in accordance with the principles laid down in the Council of Europe Convention of 28 January 1981 for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, which all Member States have ratified.
(69) This Directive does not affect more far reaching provisions contained in other Union acts which address the specific needs of particular categories of victims, such as victims of human trafficking and victims of child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography, in a more targeted manner.
(70) In accordance with Article 3 of Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the TEU and to the TFEU, those Member States have notified their wish to take part in the adoption and application of this Directive.
(71) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the TEU and to the TFEU, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Directive and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(72) The European Data Protection Supervisor delivered an opinion on 17 October 2011 (15) based on Article 41(2) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (16),
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
Objectives
1. The purpose of this Directive is to ensure that victims of crime receive appropriate information, support and protection and are able to participate in criminal proceedings.
Member States shall ensure that victims are recognised and treated in a respectful, sensitive, tailored, professional and non-discriminatory manner, in all contacts with victim support or restorative justice services or a competent authority, operating within the context of criminal proceedings. The rights set out in this Directive shall apply to victims in a non-discriminatory manner, including with respect to their residence status.
2. Member States shall ensure that in the application of this Directive, where the victim is a child, the child's best interests shall be a primary consideration and shall be assessed on an individual basis. A child-sensitive approach, taking due account of the child's age, maturity, views, needs and concerns, shall prevail. The child and the holder of parental responsibility or other legal representative, if any, shall be informed of any measures or rights specifically focused on the child.
Article 2
Definitions
1. For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions shall apply:
(a) ‘victim’ means:
(i) a natural person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by a criminal offence;
(ii) family members of a person whose death was directly caused by a criminal offence and who have suffered harm as a result of that person's death;
(b) ‘family members’ means the spouse, the person who is living with the victim in a committed intimate relationship, in a joint household and on a stable and continuous basis, the relatives in direct line, the siblings and the dependants of the victim;
(c) ‘child’ means any person below 18 years of age;
(d) ‘restorative justice’ means any process whereby the victim and the offender are enabled, if they freely consent, to participate actively in the resolution of matters arising from the criminal offence through the help of an impartial third party.
2. Member States may establish procedures:
(a) to limit the number of family members who may benefit from the rights set out in this Directive taking into account the individual circumstances of each case; and
(b) in relation to paragraph (1)(a)(ii), to determine which family members have priority in relation to the exercise of the rights set out in this Directive.
CHAPTER 2
PROVISION OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
Article 3
Right to understand and to be understood
1. Member States shall take appropriate measures to assist victims to understand and to be understood from the first contact and during any further necessary interaction they have with a competent authority in the context of criminal proceedings, including where information is provided by that authority.
2. Member States shall ensure that communications with victims are given in simple and accessible language, orally or in writing. Such communications shall take into account the personal characteristics of the victim including any disability which may affect the ability to understand or to be understood.
3. Unless contrary to the interests of the victim or unless the course of proceedings would be prejudiced, Member States shall allow victims to be accompanied by a person of their choice in the first contact with a competent authority where, due to the impact of the crime, the victim requires assistance to understand or to be understood.
Article 4
Right to receive information from the first contact with a competent authority
1. Member States shall ensure that victims are offered the following information, without unnecessary delay, from their first contact with a competent authority in order to enable them to access the rights set out in this Directive:
(a) the type of support they can obtain and from whom, including, where relevant, basic information about access to medical support, any specialist support, including psychological support, and alternative accommodation;
(b) the procedures for making complaints with regard to a criminal offence and their role in connection with such procedures;
(c) how and under what conditions they can obtain protection, including protection measures;
(d) how and under what conditions they can access legal advice, legal aid and any other sort of advice;
(e) how and under what conditions they can access compensation;
(f) how and under what conditions they are entitled to interpretation and translation;
(g) if they are resident in a Member State other than that where the criminal offence was committed, any special measures, procedures or arrangements, which are available to protect their interests in the Member State where the first contact with the competent authority is made;
(h) the available procedures for making complaints where their rights are not respected by the competent authority operating within the context of criminal proceedings;
(i) the contact details for communications about their case;
(j) the available restorative justice services;
(k) how and under what conditions expenses incurred as a result of their participation in the criminal proceedings can be reimbursed.
2. The extent or detail of information referred to in paragraph 1 may vary depending on the specific needs and personal circumstances of the victim and the type or nature of the crime. Additional details may also be provided at later stages depending on the needs of the victim and the relevance, at each stage of proceedings, of such details.
Article 5
Right of victims when making a complaint
1. Member States shall ensure that victims receive written acknowledgement of their formal complaint made by them to the competent authority of a Member State, stating the basic elements of the criminal offence concerned.
2. Member States shall ensure that victims who wish to make a complaint with regard to a criminal offence and who do not understand or speak the language of the competent authority be enabled to make the complaint in a language that they understand or by receiving the necessary linguistic assistance.
3. Member States shall ensure that victims who do not understand or speak the language of the competent authority, receive translation, free of charge, of the written acknowledgement of their complaint provided for in paragraph 1, if they so request, in a language that they understand.
Article 6
Right to receive information about their case
1. Member States shall ensure that victims are notified without unnecessary delay of their right to receive the following information about the criminal proceedings instituted as a result of the complaint with regard to a criminal offence suffered by the victim and that, upon request, they receive such information:
(a) any decision not to proceed with or to end an investigation or not to prosecute the offender;
(b) the time and place of the trial, and the nature of the charges against the offender.
2. Member States shall ensure that, in accordance with their role in the relevant criminal justice system, victims are notified without unnecessary delay of their right to receive the following information about the criminal proceedings instituted as a result of the complaint with regard to a criminal offence suffered by them and that, upon request, they receive such information:
(a) any final judgment in a trial;
(b) information enabling the victim to know about the state of the criminal proceedings, unless in exceptional cases the proper handling of the case may be adversely affected by such notification.
3. Information provided for under paragraph 1(a) and paragraph 2(a) shall include reasons or a brief summary of reasons for the decision concerned, except in the case of a jury decision or a decision where the reasons are confidential in which cases the reasons are not provided as a matter of national law.
4. The wish of victims as to whether or not to receive information shall bind the competent authority, unless that information must be provided due to the entitlement of the victim to active participation in the criminal proceedings. Member States shall allow victims to modify their wish at any moment, and shall take such modification into account.
5. Member States shall ensure that victims are offered the opportunity to be notified, without unnecessary delay, when the person remanded in custody, prosecuted or sentenced for criminal offences concerning them is released from or has escaped detention. Furthermore, Member States shall ensure that victims are informed of any relevant measures issued for their protection in case of release or escape of the offender.
6. Victims shall, upon request, receive the information provided for in paragraph 5 at least in cases where there is a danger or an identified risk of harm to them, unless there is an identified risk of harm to the offender which would result from the notification.
Article 7
Right to interpretation and translation
1. Member States shall ensure that victims who do not understand or speak the language of the criminal proceedings concerned are provided, upon request, with interpretation in accordance with their role in the relevant criminal justice system in criminal proceedings, free of charge, at least during any interviews or questioning of the victim during criminal proceedings before investigative and judicial authorities, including during police questioning, and interpretation for their active participation in court hearings and any necessary interim hearings.
2. Without prejudice to the rights of the defence and in accordance with rules of judicial discretion, communication technology such as videoconferencing, telephone or internet may be used, unless the physical presence of the interpreter is required in order for the victims to properly exercise their rights or to understand the proceedings.
3. Member States shall ensure that victims who do not understand or speak the language of the criminal proceedings concerned are provided, in accordance with their role in the relevant criminal justice system in criminal proceedings, upon request, with translations of information essential to the exercise of their rights in criminal proceedings in a language that they understand, free of charge, to the extent that such information is made available to the victims. Translations of such information shall include at least any decision ending the criminal proceedings related to the criminal offence suffered by the victim, and upon the victim's request, reasons or a brief summary of reasons for such decision, except in the case of a jury decision or a decision where the reasons are confidential in which cases the reasons are not provided as a matter of national law.
4. Member States shall ensure that victims who are entitled to information about the time and place of the trial in accordance with Article 6(1)(b) and who do not understand the language of the competent authority, are provided with a translation of the information to which they are entitled, upon request.
5. Victims may submit a reasoned request to consider a document as essential. There shall be no requirement to translate passages of essential documents which are not relevant for the purpose of enabling victims to actively participate in the criminal proceedings.
6. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 3, an oral translation or oral summary of essential documents may be provided instead of a written translation on condition that such oral translation or oral summary does not prejudice the fairness of the proceedings.
7. Member States shall ensure that the competent authority assesses whether victims need interpretation or translation as provided for under paragraphs 1 and 3. Victims may challenge a decision not to provide interpretation or translation. The procedural rules for such a challenge shall be determined by national law.
8. Interpretation and translation and any consideration of a challenge of a decision not to provide interpretation or translation under this Article shall not unreasonably prolong the criminal proceedings.
Article 8
Right to access victim support services
1. Member States shall ensure that victims, in accordance with their needs, have access to confidential victim support services, free of charge, acting in the interests of the victims before, during and for an appropriate time after criminal proceedings. Family members shall have access to victim support services in accordance with their needs and the degree of harm suffered as a result of the criminal offence committed against the victim.
2. Member States shall facilitate the referral of victims, by the competent authority that received the complaint and by other relevant entities, to victim support services.
3. Member States shall take measures to establish free of charge and confidential specialist support services in addition to, or as an integrated part of, general victim support services, or to enable victim support organisations to call on existing specialised entities providing such specialist support. Victims, in accordance with their specific needs, shall have access to such services and family members shall have access in accordance with their specific needs and the degree of harm suffered as a result of the criminal offence committed against the victim.
4. Victim support services and any specialist support services may be set up as public or non-governmental organisations and may be organised on a professional or voluntary basis.
5. Member States shall ensure that access to any victim support services is not dependent on a victim making a formal complaint with regard to a criminal offence to a competent authority.
Article 9
Support from victim support services
1. Victim support services, as referred to in Article 8(1), shall, as a minimum, provide:
(a) information, advice and support relevant to the rights of victims including on accessing national compensation schemes for criminal injuries, and on their role in criminal proceedings including preparation for attendance at the trial;
(b) information about or direct referral to any relevant specialist support services in place;
(c) emotional and, where available, psychological support;
(d) advice relating to financial and practical issues arising from the crime;
(e) unless otherwise provided by other public or private services, advice relating to the risk and prevention of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation.
2. Member States shall encourage victim support services to pay particular attention to the specific needs of victims who have suffered considerable harm due to the severity of the crime.
3. Unless otherwise provided by other public or private services, specialist support services referred to in Article 8(3), shall, as a minimum, develop and provide:
(a) shelters or any other appropriate interim accommodation for victims in need of a safe place due to an imminent risk of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation;
(b) targeted and integrated support for victims with specific needs, such as victims of sexual violence, victims of gender-based violence and victims of violence in close relationships, including trauma support and counselling.
CHAPTER 3
PARTICIPATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Article 10
Right to be heard
1. Member States shall ensure that victims may be heard during criminal proceedings and may provide evidence. Where a child victim is to be heard, due account shall be taken of the child's age and maturity.
2. The procedural rules under which victims may be heard during criminal proceedings and may provide evidence shall be determined by national law.
Article 11
Rights in the event of a decision not to prosecute
1. Member States shall ensure that victims, in accordance with their role in the relevant criminal justice system, have the right to a review of a decision not to prosecute. The procedural rules for such a review shall be determined by national law.
2. Where, in accordance with national law, the role of the victim in the relevant criminal justice system will be established only after a decision to prosecute the offender has been taken, Member States shall ensure that at least the victims of serious crimes have the right to a review of a decision not to prosecute. The procedural rules for such a review shall be determined by national law.
3. Member States shall ensure that victims are notified without unnecessary delay of their right to receive, and that they receive sufficient information to decide whether to request a review of any decision not to prosecute upon request.
4. Where the decision not to prosecute is taken by the highest prosecuting authority against whose decision no review may be carried out under national law, the review may be carried out by the same authority.
5. Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 shall not apply to a decision of the prosecutor not to prosecute, if such a decision results in an out-of-court settlement, in so far as national law makes such provision.
Article 12
Right to safeguards in the context of restorative justice services
1. Member States shall take measures to safeguard the victim from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, to be applied when providing any restorative justice services. Such measures shall ensure that victims who choose to participate in restorative justice processes have access to safe and competent restorative justice services, subject to at least the following conditions:
(a) the restorative justice services are used only if they are in the interest of the victim, subject to any safety considerations, and are based on the victim's free and informed consent, which may be withdrawn at any time;
(b) before agreeing to participate in the restorative justice process, the victim is provided with full and unbiased information about that process and the potential outcomes as well as information about the procedures for supervising the implementation of any agreement;
(c) the offender has acknowledged the basic facts of the case;
(d) any agreement is arrived at voluntarily and may be taken into account in any further criminal proceedings;
(e) discussions in restorative justice processes that are not conducted in public are confidential and are not subsequently disclosed, except with the agreement of the parties or as required by national law due to an overriding public interest.
2. Member States shall facilitate the referral of cases, as appropriate to restorative justice services, including through the establishment of procedures or guidelines on the conditions for such referral.
Article 13
Right to legal aid
Member States shall ensure that victims have access to legal aid, where they have the status of parties to criminal proceedings. The conditions or procedural rules under which victims have access to legal aid shall be determined by national law.
Article 14
Right to reimbursement of expenses
Member States shall afford victims who participate in criminal proceedings, the possibility of reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of their active participation in criminal proceedings, in accordance with their role in the relevant criminal justice system. The conditions or procedural rules under which victims may be reimbursed shall be determined by national law.
Article 15
Right to the return of property
Member States shall ensure that, following a decision by a competent authority, recoverable property which is seized in the course of criminal proceedings is returned to victims without delay, unless required for the purposes of criminal proceedings. The conditions or procedural rules under which such property is returned to the victims shall be determined by national law.
Article 16
Right to decision on compensation from the offender in the course of criminal proceedings
1. Member States shall ensure that, in the course of criminal proceedings, victims are entitled to obtain a decision on compensation by the offender, within a reasonable time, except where national law provides for such a decision to be made in other legal proceedings.
2. Member States shall promote measures to encourage offenders to provide adequate compensation to victims.
Article 17
Rights of victims resident in another Member State
1. Member States shall ensure that their competent authorities can take appropriate measures to minimise the difficulties faced where the victim is a resident of a Member State other than that where the criminal offence was committed, particularly with regard to the organisation of the proceedings. For this purpose, the authorities of the Member State where the criminal offence was committed shall, in particular, be in a position:
(a) to take a statement from the victim immediately after the complaint with regard to the criminal offence is made to the competent authority;
(b) to have recourse to the extent possible to the provisions on video conferencing and telephone conference calls laid down in the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union of 29 May 2000 (17) for the purpose of hearing victims who are resident abroad.
2. Member States shall ensure that victims of a criminal offence committed in Member States other than that where they reside may make a complaint to the competent authorities of the Member State of residence, if they are unable to do so in the Member State where the criminal offence was committed or, in the event of a serious offence, as determined by national law of that Member State, if they do not wish to do so.
3. Member States shall ensure that the competent authority to which the victim makes a complaint transmits it without delay to the competent authority of the Member State in which the criminal offence was committed, if the competence to institute the proceedings has not been exercised by the Member State in which the complaint was made.
CHAPTER 4
PROTECTION OF VICTIMS AND RECOGNITION OF VICTIMS WITH SPECIFIC PROTECTION NEEDS
Article 18
Right to protection
Without prejudice to the rights of the defence, Member States shall ensure that measures are available to protect victims and their family members from secondary and repeat victimisation, from intimidation and from retaliation, including against the risk of emotional or psychological harm, and to protect the dignity of victims during questioning and when testifying. When necessary, such measures shall also include procedures established under national law for the physical protection of victims and their family members.
Article 19
Right to avoid contact between victim and offender
1. Member States shall establish the necessary conditions to enable avoidance of contact between victims and their family members, where necessary, and the offender within premises where criminal proceedings are conducted, unless the criminal proceedings require such contact.
2. Member States shall ensure that new court premises have separate waiting areas for victims.
Article 20
Right to protection of victims during criminal investigations
Without prejudice to the rights of the defence and in accordance with rules of judicial discretion, Member States shall ensure that during criminal investigations:
(a) interviews of victims are conducted without unjustified delay after the complaint with regard to a criminal offence has been made to the competent authority;
(b) the number of interviews of victims is kept to a minimum and interviews are carried out only where strictly necessary for the purposes of the criminal investigation;
(c) victims may be accompanied by their legal representative and a person of their choice, unless a reasoned decision has been made to the contrary;
(d) medical examinations are kept to a minimum and are carried out only where strictly necessary for the purposes of the criminal proceedings.
Article 21
Right to protection of privacy
1. Member States shall ensure that competent authorities may take during the criminal proceedings appropriate measures to protect the privacy, including personal characteristics of the victim taken into account in the individual assessment provided for under Article 22, and images of victims and of their family members. Furthermore, Member States shall ensure that competent authorities may take all lawful measures to prevent public dissemination of any information that could lead to the identification of a child victim.
2. In order to protect the privacy, personal integrity and personal data of victims, Member States shall, with respect for freedom of expression and information and freedom and pluralism of the media, encourage the media to take self-regulatory measures.
Article 22
Individual assessment of victims to identify specific protection needs
1. Member States shall ensure that victims receive a timely and individual assessment, in accordance with national procedures, to identify specific protection needs and to determine whether and to what extent they would benefit from special measures in the course of criminal proceedings, as provided for under Articles 23 and 24, due to their particular vulnerability to secondary and repeat victimisation, to intimidation and to retaliation.
2. The individual assessment shall, in particular, take into account:
(a) the personal characteristics of the victim;
(b) the type or nature of the crime; and
(c) the circumstances of the crime.
3. In the context of the individual assessment, particular attention shall be paid to victims who have suffered considerable harm due to the severity of the crime; victims who have suffered a crime committed with a bias or discriminatory motive which could, in particular, be related to their personal characteristics; victims whose relationship to and dependence on the offender make them particularly vulnerable. In this regard, victims of terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, gender-based violence, violence in a close relationship, sexual violence, exploitation or hate crime, and victims with disabilities shall be duly considered.
4. For the purposes of this Directive, child victims shall be presumed to have specific protection needs due to their vulnerability to secondary and repeat victimisation, to intimidation and to retaliation. To determine whether and to what extent they would benefit from special measures as provided for under Articles 23 and 24, child victims shall be subject to an individual assessment as provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article.
5. The extent of the individual assessment may be adapted according to the severity of the crime and the degree of apparent harm suffered by the victim.
6. Individual assessments shall be carried out with the close involvement of the victim and shall take into account their wishes including where they do not wish to benefit from special measures as provided for in Articles 23 and 24.
7. If the elements that form the basis of the individual assessment have changed significantly, Member States shall ensure that it is updated throughout the criminal proceedings.
Article 23
Right to protection of victims with specific protection needs during criminal proceedings
1. Without prejudice to the rights of the defence and in accordance with rules of judicial discretion, Member States shall ensure that victims with specific protection needs who benefit from special measures identified as a result of an individual assessment provided for in Article 22(1), may benefit from the measures provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article. A special measure envisaged following the individual assessment shall not be made available if operational or practical constraints make this impossible, or where there is a an urgent need to interview the victim and failure to do so could harm the victim or another person or could prejudice the course of the proceedings.
2. The following measures shall be available during criminal investigations to victims with specific protection needs identified in accordance with Article 22(1):
(a) interviews with the victim being carried out in premises designed or adapted for that purpose;
(b) interviews with the victim being carried out by or through professionals trained for that purpose;
(c) all interviews with the victim being conducted by the same persons unless this is contrary to the good administration of justice;
(d) all interviews with victims of sexual violence, gender-based violence or violence in close relationships, unless conducted by a prosecutor or a judge, being conducted by a person of the same sex as the victim, if the victim so wishes, provided that the course of the criminal proceedings will not be prejudiced.
3. The following measures shall be available for victims with specific protection needs identified in accordance with Article 22(1) during court proceedings:
(a) measures to avoid visual contact between victims and offenders including during the giving of evidence, by appropriate means including the use of communication technology;
(b) measures to ensure that the victim may be heard in the courtroom without being present, in particular through the use of appropriate communication technology;
(c) measures to avoid unnecessary questioning concerning the victim's private life not related to the criminal offence; and
(d) measures allowing a hearing to take place without the presence of the public.
Article 24
Right to protection of child victims during criminal proceedings
1. In addition to the measures provided for in Article 23, Member States shall ensure that where the victim is a child:
(a) in criminal investigations, all interviews with the child victim may be audiovisually recorded and such recorded interviews may be used as evidence in criminal proceedings;
(b) in criminal investigations and proceedings, in accordance with the role of victims in the relevant criminal justice system, competent authorities appoint a special representative for child victims where, according to national law, the holders of parental responsibility are precluded from representing the child victim as a result of a conflict of interest between them and the child victim, or where the child victim is unaccompanied or separated from the family;
(c) where the child victim has the right to a lawyer, he or she has the right to legal advice and representation, in his or her own name, in proceedings where there is, or there could be, a conflict of interest between the child victim and the holders of parental responsibility.
The procedural rules for the audiovisual recordings referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph and the use thereof shall be determined by national law.
2. Where the age of a victim is uncertain and there are reasons to believe that the victim is a child, the victim shall, for the purposes of this Directive, be presumed to be a child.
CHAPTER 5
OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 25
Training of practitioners
1. Member States shall ensure that officials likely to come into contact with victims, such as police officers and court staff, receive both general and specialist training to a level appropriate to their contact with victims to increase their awareness of the needs of victims and to enable them to deal with victims in an impartial, respectful and professional manner.
2. Without prejudice to judicial independence and differences in the organisation of the judiciary across the Union, Member States shall request that those responsible for the training of judges and prosecutors involved in criminal proceedings make available both general and specialist training to increase the awareness of judges and prosecutors of the needs of victims.
3. With due respect for the independence of the legal profession, Member States shall recommend that those responsible for the training of lawyers make available both general and specialist training to increase the awareness of lawyers of the needs of victims.
4. Through their public services or by funding victim support organisations, Member States shall encourage initiatives enabling those providing victim support and restorative justice services to receive adequate training to a level appropriate to their contact with victims and observe professional standards to ensure such services are provided in an impartial, respectful and professional manner.
5. In accordance with the duties involved, and the nature and level of contact the practitioner has with victims, training shall aim to enable the practitioner to recognise victims and to treat them in a respectful, professional and non-discriminatory manner.
Article 26
Cooperation and coordination of services
1. Member States shall take appropriate action to facilitate cooperation between Member States to improve the access of victims to the rights set out in this Directive and under national law. Such cooperation shall be aimed at least at:
(a) the exchange of best practices;
(b) consultation in individual cases; and
(c) assistance to European networks working on matters directly relevant to victims' rights.
2. Member States shall take appropriate action, including through the internet, aimed at raising awareness of the rights set out in this Directive, reducing the risk of victimisation, and minimising the negative impact of crime and the risks of secondary and repeat victimisation, of intimidation and of retaliation, in particular by targeting groups at risk such as children, victims of gender-based violence and violence in close relationships. Such action may include information and awareness raising campaigns and research and education programmes, where appropriate in cooperation with relevant civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
CHAPTER 6
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 27
Transposition
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 16 November 2015.
2. When Member States adopt those provisions they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such a reference is to be made.
Article 28
Provision of data and statistics
Member States shall, by 16 November 2017 and every three years thereafter, communicate to the Commission available data showing how victims have accessed the rights set out in this Directive.
Article 29
Report
The Commission shall, by 16 November 2017, submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, assessing the extent to which the Member States have taken the necessary measures in order to comply with this Directive, including a description of action taken under Articles 8, 9 and 23, accompanied, if necessary, by legislative proposals.
Article 30
Replacement of Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA
Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA is hereby replaced in relation to Member States participating in the adoption of this Directive, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law.
In relation to Member States participating in the adoption of this Directive, references to that Framework Decision shall be construed as references to this Directive.
Article 31
Entry into force
This Directive shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Article 32
Addressees
This Directive is addressed to the Member States in accordance with the Treaties.
Done at Strasbourg, 25 October 2012.
For the European Parliament
The President
M. SCHULZ
For the Council
The President
A. D. MAVROYIANNIS
(1) OJ C 43, 15.2.2012, p. 39.
(2) OJ C 113, 18.4.2012, p. 56.
(3) Position of the European Parliament of 12 September 2012 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 4 October 2012.
(4) OJ L 82, 22.3.2001, p. 1.
(5) OJ C 115, 4.5.2010, p. 1.
(6) OJ C 187, 28.6.2011, p. 1.
(7) OJ C 285 E, 21.10.2010, p. 53.
(8) OJ C 296 E, 2.10.2012, p. 26.
(9) OJ L 338, 21.12.2011, p. 2.
(10) OJ L 101, 15.4.2011, p. 1.
(11) OJ L 335, 17.12.2011, p. 1.
(12) OJ L 164, 22.6.2002, p. 3.
(13) OJ L 328, 15.12.2009, p. 42.
(14) OJ L 350, 30.12.2008, p. 60.
(15) OJ C 35, 9.2.2012, p. 10.
(16) OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.
(17) OJ C 197, 12.7.2000, p. 3.
留言
張貼留言