ViSAR Final Symposium | Athens 🇬🇷
Victims’ Rights in Europe and AI Tools for Strengthening Victims’ Rights
On 24 September, the ViSAR Final Symposium – “Victims’ Rights in Europe and AI Tools for Strengthening Victims’ Rights” brought together project partners, experts and practitioners in Athens to present the project’s results and discuss the future of victims’ rights across Europe.
Hosted by the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) and organized with the collaboration of Agenfor International Foundation and Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane, the Symposium opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Lola Lyberopoulou, Director of European and International Projects at EPLO, and concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Lea Stavrou, Senior Program Officer at EPLO.
The Symposium brought together a diverse group of experts, who explored key aspects of victims’ rights, victim support, restorative justice and digital innovation.
Speakers and contributions
- Professor Vasiliki Artinopoulou (EPLO) discussed Digital Restorative Justice and the opportunities and challenges of applying restorative justice in a digital environment.
- Prof. Brian Vanzo (CUAV “Centro Ares”) explored training and intervention in victim support and perpetrator work, focusing on professional practice and the protection of victims.
- Dr. Eleonora B. (Clinical and Forensic Psychologist) addressed the challenges in implementing victims’ rights, within the broader European framework.
- Dr. Konstantinos Panagos (EPLO) presented findings and lessons learned from the Mutual Exchange Learning Events (MELEs) carried out within the project.
- Dr. Beatrice Maccarini (Agenfor International Foundation) shared comparative reflections on implementation challenges and restorative justice, drawing on the experience of the national exchanges.
- Ms. Linda Millington (Kent and Medway Restorative Justice Service) focused on victim support, restorative justice and domestic violence, bringing a practical perspective from the field.
- Sergio Bianchi (Agenfor International) presented the ViSAR Digital Platform, including its AI-supported tools and avatar system.
- Ms. Stefanie Knaab (Gewaltfrei in die Zukunft) presented the Violence Prevention App and its role in supporting women affected by domestic violence.
- Dr. Wojciech Burek (Jagiellonian University) explored future perspectives on victim support under the Istanbul Convention.
Throughout the discussions, one message stood out: technology should serve victims’ needs and remain grounded in human rights and a genuinely victim-centred approach.
