- 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
Criminal Mediator
In criminal matters, the Public Prosecutor can call on a criminal mediator to meet with the parties (if they agree to it). Mediation can only be used to repair damage caused by a minor offence (e.g. insult, simple theft, disturbance at night) but which has been the subject of a complaint.
The criminal mediator is an independent third party (an approved person or legal entity, such as an association), neutral and objective, instructed by the Public Prosecutor to find an amicable solution between the perpetrator and the victim. The mediator can in no way impose a decision. The aim is to start a discussion and, through dialogue, the parties will be able to find a solution on their own.
If the mediation is successful, the mediator records the agreement in a report, which they then sign together with the parties. The mediator gives the parties a copy of this report, and sends another copy to the Public Prosecutor; the case is then generally closed without further action.
In case of disagreement, the Public Prosecutor decides how the complaint should be followed up (criminal proceedings or dismissal of the case).
Criminal mediation is an alternative measure to prosecution. To find out more about alternative measures to prosecution, click on this link.
For more information on the right to alternatives to prosecution, click here.