European Union Victims’ Directive comes into force today

The RJC welcomes the European Union (EU) Victims’ Directive coming in to force today. Member states opting in to the Directive agree, by law, to ensure that victims are offered information on the availability of restorative justice services and that victims who participate are treated "respectfully, sensitively and professionally".

The UK opted into the EU Directive in 2012, recognising the benefits restorative justice can bring to victims and establishing safeguards in restorative justice services.

The RJC’s CEO Jon Collins said: "The Directive sets out the clear benefits of restorative justice for victims of crime and highlights the need for national standards to ensure it is carried out safely and effectively. We would like to see this strengthened in the forthcoming Victims’ Law, embedding a victim’s right to access a restorative justice service in primary legislation.”

Read more about the EU Victims' Directive here.