Strengthen professional capacities in the field of victims’ rights, domestic violence, restorative justice and cross-border protection through specialised training modules and mutual learning activities.
About ViSAR
Victim Support through Alignment of Remedies — a European project strengthening the effective application of victims’ rights, with particular attention to domestic violence, cross-border protection and access to justice.
The Project
A European response built on cooperation
ViSAR – Victim Support through Alignment of Remedies is a European project designed to strengthen the effective application of victims’ rights across Europe, with particular attention to domestic violence, cross-border protection and access to justice.
The project focuses on improving cooperation among justice professionals, victim support services, public institutions, legal practitioners, restorative justice professionals and civil society organisations, promoting more coordinated and victim-centred approaches within judicial and institutional systems.
By combining legal expertise, multidisciplinary training, mutual learning activities and AI-supported digital tools, ViSAR supports professionals in the practical implementation of European and international standards concerning victims’ protection, compensation, restorative justice and procedural safeguards.
Through a participatory and transnational approach, the project brings together judicial actors, research organisations, training providers and victim support stakeholders from different European countries in order to develop sustainable, operational and transferable solutions.
Background
The European legal framework on victims’ rights
The protection of victims’ rights has progressively become a central priority within the European legal and policy framework. Over the years, the European Union and international institutions have developed important legal instruments aimed at guaranteeing protection, support and access to justice for victims of crime, especially in cases involving domestic violence and vulnerable persons.
ViSAR operates within the framework established by instruments such as Directive 2012/29/EU on victims’ rights, Directive 2011/99/EU on the European Protection Order, Directive 2004/80/EC on compensation to victims of violent crime, Regulation (EU) 606/2013 on protection measures in civil matters, the Istanbul Convention and the recent Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Despite significant legal developments, important challenges remain in the practical implementation of victims’ rights across different national systems. Victims frequently face difficulties in accessing information, protection measures, compensation mechanisms and coordinated support services, particularly in cross-border contexts.
At the same time, professionals operating within justice and victim support systems increasingly require specialised and multidisciplinary training capable of addressing legal, operational, technological and relational dimensions of victim protection.
- Directive 2012/29/EU
- Directive 2011/99/EU
- Directive 2004/80/EC
- Regulation (EU) 606/2013
- Istanbul Convention
- Directive (EU) 2024/1385
Why ViSAR
Responding to persistent implementation challenges
National and international analyses concerning victims’ rights and domestic violence continue to highlight the need for stronger cooperation, operational coordination and specialised professional training among actors involved in victim protection systems.
Justice professionals, victim support organisations and institutional actors often face difficulties related to fragmented procedures, limited coordination mechanisms, unequal access to information and the practical implementation of European standards in domestic violence cases and cross-border situations.
ViSAR responds to these challenges by promoting a multidisciplinary and practice-oriented approach that combines:
- legal analysis,
- operational exchange,
- restorative justice perspectives,
- mutual learning methodologies,
- and AI-supported digital innovation.
The project aims to reduce the gap between legal standards and practical implementation, while supporting the development of more accessible, coordinated and victim-centred support systems across Europe.
General Objectives
What the project sets out to achieve
- To strengthen the effective and coherent application of European and international standards concerning victims’ rights, domestic violence and cross-border protection through multidisciplinary cooperation, professional training and operational exchange.
- To support justice professionals, victim support actors and institutions through specialised learning activities, practical resources and AI-supported digital tools aimed at improving access to information, coordination and victim protection practices.
Specific Objectives
Operational goals of ViSAR
Promote multidisciplinary cooperation among judicial authorities, law enforcement agencies, victim support organisations, restorative justice professionals and civil society actors.
Develop practical and operational learning resources, including best practices, model agreements, aligned workflows and professional guidance materials.
Create and test an AI-supported search-and-response platform designed to support professionals, institutions and victim support services in accessing information and operational tools.
Improve awareness and practical implementation of European legal instruments concerning victims’ rights, compensation, protection measures and restorative justice.
Support the development of coordinated, accessible and victim-centred approaches capable of strengthening protection systems across different national and transnational contexts.
Follow the project activities
Mutual Exchange Learning Events, steering committee meetings, training activities and the final international symposium.