A crime can have a great impact and varied effects on victims. In their effort to cope with the negative emotions and effects of their victimization, victims often need to contact a range of specialized services, such us legal aid, medical care, psychosocial counselling, social support, hotline services and shelter. Solid referral systems established through cross-sector coordination, have been proven effective and useful for the victims. Yet referral mechanisms are often absent is several member states, some of which even lack the appropriate support services organizations.
As part of the PROTASIS project, the partners from Greece, Italy and Portugal performed an extensive cataloguing of available general and specialist victims support services in their respective countries. These catalogues will serve for the development of effective referral pathways for the victims when communicating with the Police.
