We was honoured to take part in the Victim Support Europe (VSE) Annual General Assembly and Conference, held from 21–23 May 2025 in Lisbon and hosted by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV). This special edition of the conference marked the 35th anniversary of both VSE and APAV, celebrating over three decades of progress in supporting victims of crime across Europe under the theme: “35 Years of Victim Support in Europe – Transforming Lives Today, Inspiring a Brighter Tomorrow.”
As an active and dedicated member of VSE, we reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing a victim-centred approach – one that places dignity, safety and empowerment at the heart of every support service. From legal advice to psychological care and practical assistance, the needs of victims must guide every step of our collective response.
This year’s programme reflected the evolving European landscape, with a strong focus on the EU’s legal framework as a driving force for change. Discussions addressed the ongoing revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive, the 10th anniversary of the EU Network on Victims’ Rights, and priorities for the next EU Strategy – covering topics such as online sexual abuse, mass victimisation, and the creation of more resilient societies where healing is possible.
Through a rich mix of keynote speeches, roundtables, and interactive workshops, the conference fostered international cooperation and innovation in victim support. Highlights included sessions on youth empowerment, inclusive solutions for elderly victims, and the use of technology and AI in prevention and support services.
We was particularly inspired by the emphasis on making victim assistance visible and accessible as a fundamental service, not only in times of crisis but as a coherent and proactive social function.
Our participation was made possible by the ASIT – Adequate Support measures and Improved capacities in countering THB, co-funded by the European Union under the Internal Security Fund (ISF). Under ASIT, we are committed to improving transnational collaboration to combat organised crime, enhancing inter-agency cooperation and improving victim support mechanisms, especially in cases of human trafficking and exploitation.
Moving forward, through initiatives like ASIT we remains firmly committed to ensuring that victims’ rights are protected, promoted and never taken for granted. We will continue to work alongside our European partners to ensure that no victim is left behind and that all people affected by crime can access the support they need to heal, recover and rebuild their lives.
About the project
ASIT – Adequate Support measures and Improved capacities in countering THB is a project funded by the ISF-2022-TF1-AG-THB programme (Call for proposals on actions against trafficking in human beings).
Partners
- MoISR – Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic (Coordinator, Slovak Republic)
- AMoIBG – Academy of the Ministry of Interior Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
- INT – Departament d’Interior – Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain)
- HP – Hellenic Police (Greece)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- KEMEA – Center for Security Studies (Greece)
- KWP Kraków – Regional Police Headquarters in Kraków (Poland)
For further information
Read the project sheet and follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact Cinzia Broccolo: cinzia.broccolo@cesie.org.
