State Secretary Rutte of Justice and Security: “With this expansion, we ensure that more victims of violent crimes receive their compensation fully in advance. This gives victims and survivors more certainty and recognition, especially during a period in which they have already experienced a lot.”
If the judge imposes a compensation measure in his verdict, the so-called advance payment scheme applies. This means that the State advances compensation to the victim if the perpetrator does not (fully) pay within eight months. The State then continues to collect the amount from the perpetrator. This scheme has a maximum of 5,000 euros, but for sexual offenses and some violent crimes, this amount is unlimited.
The expansion adds seven violent crimes to this unlimited scheme, such as intentional arson, unlawful deprivation of liberty, hostage-taking, or death by culpability (in traffic). The reason for this is signals from, among others, the House of Representatives, victim organizations, and the criminal justice chain that victims of serious offenses sometimes fell outside the scheme, leading to distressing situations.
Consultation
The proposed amendment is now first submitted for advice in consultation: citizens, organizations in the criminal justice chain, and experts are given the opportunity to respond to the proposal. The responses will be used to further improve the proposal before it is submitted to the Council of State for advice.