The Association of the European Network on Victims’ Rights (AENVR) introduced its Study visit programme element in 2022. Each year two in-person study visits are held with the purpose of mutual learning by organizing small-group visits to learn the system of the host country and, discuss victims’ rights from specific aspects placed in the focus of the visit.

Since the current proposal of the European Commission for the revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive on 12 July 2023, AENVR attaches high importance to have issues on the agenda of its programmes which are relevant from the point of view of the common efforts for strengthening victims’ rights.

In 2023, Croatia and Hungary hosted            study visits. In both countries, an important organisational aspect was to demonstrate the practice of victim support at provincial locations.

In Croatia, participants focused on discussing good practices of cooperation and collaboration between local public institutions and civil society organizations which were active in supporting and protecting crime victims. At the programme, attendees listened to a victim testimony as well.

In Hungary, experts had the chance to closer study the operation of the integrated-service focused walk-in centres and have interactive roundtables about reaching out to victims, service types, in particular specific services to victims such as emotional support and crisis accommodation, and the cooperation of local stakeholders.

The Association of the European Network on Victims’ Rights expresses gratitude to both host countries for their well-developed support systems and the high commitment of their supporters.