- VICTIM SUPPORT
- THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIME
- Victims right to understand and to be understood
- Right to receive information from the very first contact with the competent authority
- Victims’ rights when making a complaint
- Victims’ right to receive information about their case
- The right to translation
- The right to access victim support services
- Support from victim support services
- Right to safeguards in terms of restorative justice services
- Victims’ rights who reside in another EU member state
- Right to avoid contact between victim and offender
- Victim protection during the criminal investigation
- Protection of private life
- Individual assessment of victims- Special protection
- Right to protection of victims with special needs during criminal proceedings
- Rights of the witness of crime
- CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS
- WHO IS WHO IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
- I WAS A VICTIM OF CRIME: COMMON REACTIONS
Victims of Sexual Violence
According to Directive 2012/29/EU, introductory paragraph 17, sexual violence includes rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Similarly, introductory paragraph 38 states that victims of sexual abuse should be provided with specific support, including shelter and safe accommodation, immediate medical support, referral to medical and forensic examination for evidence in cases of rape or sexual assault, short-term and long-term psychological counselling, trauma care, legal advice, advocacy and specific services for children as direct or indirect victims.
Sexual Violence, Abuse, and Harassment is a crime and is prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Subparagraph (d) of para. 2 of Article 46 CPC expressly provides that in the event of a complaint by the victim “no fee is required for crimes against sexual freedom and financial exploitation of sexual life and crimes of domestic violence”.
In order to provide support and guidance to victims of sexual violence, the Greek Police have published the following advice and guidance on how to get support and report the crime:
ADVICE – GUIDANCE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLATION OF SEXUAL FREEDOM – DIGNITY
(sexual abuse – harassment)
1. Sexual abuse – harassment behaviors are psychologically damaging for the individuals who are subjected to them. If you have experienced such behavior, you are likely to feel fear, guilt, sadness, despair, frustration, shame, anxiety and anger, or feel helpless, trapped and “blocked”.
To manage this situation:
- You can talk to someone you trust about what has happened to you so that they can help you.
- You can contact people in your supportive environment, a mental health professional or one of the psychosocial support lines/structures (see below) to gain strength, overcome your fear, and get out of the situation you are in.
- It is important to know that you are not responsible for the abuser’s behavior.
- Remember that other people have been subjected to similar behavior. You are not the only one and you are not alone.
- Bear in mind that victims who have sought help and reported such acts (see below for where to turn) have been able to cope with the effects of sexual abuse – harassment and preserve their psycho-emotional balance.
- Consider that by reporting acts against you, you are protecting other people from the same perpetrator or other potential perpetrators.
2. Where can you turn?
- In an emergency, dial 100 and if you are unable to speak, send a message (sms) which includes your first name, surname, address and the type of emergency (e.g. “my life is in danger”).
- You can go to the nearest police station and report what has happened to you.
- If this pertains to an incident that occurred in a domestic context, you can contact the Domestic Violence Services of the Hellenic Police (view telephone numbers, in Greek)
- If this pertains to an act that occurred over the internet, you can contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate at 11188.
It should be noted that as soon as they come to the attention of the police authorities, crimes against sexual dignity/freedom will be dealt with immediately, with sensitivity and respect for the personality and dignity of the victim.
In addition, you can:
- Report the incident to the local prosecuting authorities.
- Contact the Labour Inspectorate at 15512 (regarding an incident taking place in a workplace).
- Contact your local Mental Health Centers and Public Hospitals to receive psychosocial support.
- Call the hotline SOS 15900 of the General Secretariat for Demography, Family Policy, and Gender Equality for psychosocial support, legal advice, and accommodation in shelters or contact the local counselling centers (for women)
For more information: https://metoogreece.gr/ (in Greek)
Source : Hellenic Police – Victims of violations of sexual freedom
Support Services for Victims of Sexual Violence
The General Secretariat for Gender Equality – Counselling Centers on Violence against Women operates under the Ministry of the Interior
The General Secretariat for Gender Equality has set up and operates an integrated network of 62 structures for female victims of violence.
This network includes the 24-hour SOS 15900 hotline, 40 Counselling Centers and 21 Shelters for female victims of violence and their children.
The SOS15900 hotline is also supported by sos15900@isotita.gr. Operating 24 hours a day/365 days a year, it offers its services in Greek and English, while the cost of the call is one local call unit.
The Counselling Centers provide free psychosocial support and mental health counselling, while the services provided are now being expanded to include employment counselling for women as well as for women who suffer multiple discrimination (refugees, single parents, Roma, etc.). Information on the addresses and telephone numbers of the Counselling Centers is available at http://www.womensos.gr/ and on the social networking page facebook: WomenSOS.gr
CONTACT:
Website of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality: http://www.isotita.gr/
National Center for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.)
The National Center for Social Solidarity coordinates a network of social support services for individuals, families, and population groups experiencing a psychosocial crisis or in need of immediate social assistance
The National Center for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.) is a legal entity under public law with its headquarters in Athens, supervised by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity.
Its services for victims of domestic violence include:
- Direct Social Aid Line “197” for all citizens. Operating on a daily 24-hour basis. Calls are toll free.
- Social Support Center in Athens, Piraeus, and Thessaloniki
- Shelters for citizens with serious socio-economic problems in Attica
- Shelters for women, alone or with their children, who are in danger in Attica and Thessaloniki. Services provided include:
- counselling services and information on social welfare issues
- social and psychological support to individuals or families immediate accommodation for women – alone or with their children – who are in danger (mainly victims of violence – domestic violence, victims of human trafficking)
short-term accommodation in shelters for individuals experiencing a crisis or social emergency - cooperation and mediation to facilitate access to social solidarity services provided by other bodies.
CONTACT:
Website: http://www.ekka.org.gr/