- I was a victim of a criminal offence: consequences and reactions
- The rights of victims of a criminal offence
- Right to be treated with respect and dignity
- Right to privacy
- Right to information about rights from the first contact with the competent authority
- Right to be heard
- Right to interpretation and translation
- Right to be accompanied by a victim support association
- Right to be accompanied by a legal representative and an adult of your choice
- Right to declare a third party’s address as a home address (with their consent)
- Right to return of property
- Right to compensation
- Right to legal aid
- Right to an individualised assessment
- Right to specific protection measures
- Social protection rights
- Right to an alternative to criminal proceedings: mediation
- Right to benefit from restorative justice measures
- Right to information on appeals and remedies
- Criminal proceedings
- Who is who in criminal proceedings
Advice for victims of a criminal offence
Talk to someone you trust
When you have been a victim, talking about what you have experienced can be very helpful, liberating. Seek out a caring person who is available and will be able to accept your emotions and your words without trying to force them or question them.
In a non-judgmental posture, this trusted person will welcome your statements and take them into account in their entirety, without downplaying the facts. Being able to express your pain can take time, which is perfectly normal. Take the time you need. Recognition, understanding, and consideration will make the work of rebuilding easier.
Professional support
When you have been a victim, you may want to talk to someone outside your friends and family.
You can confide in your doctor, the national victim support platform (116 006/+33 (0)1 80 52 33 76 from abroad), other professionals, such as a lawyer, or the victim support associations of the France Victimes network. They have recognised expertise, and a multidisciplinary team of jurists, psychologists and social workers will be at your side free of charge. The professionals will inform you about your rights, provide psychological support, assess possible social interventions and direct you to other partners depending on the nature of your needs.
Seeking shelter
When the criminal offence is repeated on a daily basis and you fear for your life, taking shelter is imperative. By reporting your situation, you can, among other things, be referred to emergency accommodation.
If you are physically injured, you can go to a hospital for treatment but also to collect evidence of the violence.