Victims deserve recognition and support in overcoming the consequences of a criminal offense, said Struycken.
With the multi-year agenda, the secretary of state outlines the policy direction until 2028. The guiding principle is that victims are well informed about their rights so that they can decide which rights they wish to exercise.
More privacy and automatic verdict
The first measures for victims will take effect from July 1. From that date, the personal data of victims will only be included in the criminal file when the judge needs this information for a decision.
Also, victims who have joined the criminal process as an injured party will no longer need to request the verdict themselves, but will receive it automatically.
For victims of insecurity and coercive control in closed groups, the expertise center Fier will open a help point on July 1. Very closed groups such as sects pose an increased risk of systematic abuse due to their hierarchy and closed nature, making it often difficult to share experiences and seek help.
More measures this year
For victims of serious violent and sexual offenses, it will be introduced nationally that victim lawyers will actively contact them after the first police contact if desired. Victims do not have to look for a lawyer themselves.
Victims of systematic psychological violence will be eligible this year for compensation from the Violence Crime Compensation Fund. For victims of violence in dependent relationships, a new approach will be tested in two regions starting in the third quarter, where it does not matter where they report: there is one entry point and one fixed contact person.
At the end of this year, a bill will go into consultation allowing brothers and sisters of victims to qualify for emotional damage compensation.
Further plans
In 2026, a special chair for victim rights will be established to increase victim awareness among professionals in the criminal justice chain. In parole decisions, the interests of victims will be considered as standard starting in 2027. Victims will then be able to express their wishes regarding, for example, a contact ban.
The advance payment scheme, where the state pays out if a perpetrator does not pay, will also be expanded to more violent offenses.
The House of Representatives will be informed annually about the progress.