- 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
Right to be accompanied by a victim support association
Throughout the criminal proceedings, victims have the right to be accompanied by an approved victim support association, which will provide psychological, social, and legal support. It is important for victims to feel supported and accompanied. This support is free of charge and the meetings are confidential.
France Victimes victim support associations, which are specialised in judicial accompaniment of victims, can be found within judicial tribunals and some Courts of appeal, in the Victim Support Offices, in order to support victims during trials.
In addition, there is a national victim support number, 116 006, which is an EU-wide number. There is no charge for calling this number, and it is available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The professionals working on this helpline provide a sympathetic ear, answer victims’ questions and refer them to the most appropriate structures to meet their needs.
To find your nearest France Victimes victim support association, click here.
There are also other specialised associations that can intervene to support certain victims (e.g. women victims of domestic violence, child victims, etc.).