Greece appears to be one of the member states that faces significant challenges in the support of victims due to the lack of an effective informational system for the referral to support services. Greece does not currently provide generic victim support services and only specialist support services are available for specific groups of victims (such children or victims of domestic violence), mostly operated by NGOs and other organisations.
The majority of these programs and initiatives are largely dependent on EU or other funds, and thus, they often remain operational for certain period of time, depending on the funding available. As a result, police officers, victims’ first point of contact with the criminal justice system, remain often uncertain as to where they could signpost the victims in order to receive the support they need.
As part of the project and in response to this fragmented and unstable situation that does not allow for the effective support of victims, the European Public Law Organization developed a guide which aims to gather indicative services provided by organizations and bodies across the territory from which victims of crime can benefit.
The guide includes information on the provision of the following support services:
- Helplines
- Online support
- Shelter
- Medical aid
- Social/ material support
- Financial aid
- Legal aid
- Psychosocial support
- Vocational support services
- Day center
- Referral to competent services
- Creative activities
- Language learning
- Information services
- Research/ Research programs
The target groups have been divided into:
- General public & Vulnerable groups: for organizations and services addressed to all victims of crime; to the general public, irrespective of victimization; and to specific vulnerable groups
- Women: for organizations and services addressed specifically to women, or female victims of violence.
- Minors, parents, families: provision of services to underage victims or vulnerable children, their parents and families.
Click here to download the guide.
It should be noted that the list of organizations and services is not exhaustive, and beneficiaries should be encouraged to contact the organizations for more information or potential changes.
For the Greek version of the guide, click here.
