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Do you know someone who may be a victim or a witness of war-related crimes? 

Victims and witnesses of war-related crimes 

War can affect people in many ways. Being a victim or a witness of crimes committed in the context of armed conflict or mass violence may cause not only physical injuries but also long-term psychological harm. People fleeing the war are at increased risk of being victims of serious crimes such as human trafficking, labour exploitation and sexual exploitation.

What to do if you or someone you know has been a victim of war?

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Children also keep their eyes open for victims of war

Most of the Ukrainian victims of war who take refuge in EU countries are women and children. And these children go to school in their host community, with it becoming one of the first points of contact between the local population and the refugees.

The book ‘The Girl Who Kept Her Eyes Open’ aims to raise awareness among children (7-10 years old) and adults (parents and teachers) of the problems suffered by people fleeing war and their rights. 

Through the story of a Ukrainian refugee child meeting a particularly observant little girl in her new school, it shows the importance of paying attention to others in order to recognize the victims of crime - in this case, the victims of war-related crimes - and offer them support.

Keep your eyes open to victims or witnesses of war-related crimes.

War crimes 

War crimes mean grave breaches of international law (Geneva Convention of 1949), including acts such as wilful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, extensive destruction or misappropriation of property. 

Children fleeing war 

More than 5 million children have been displaced by the war in Ukraine, both inside and outside the country. Children who have been displaced are at an increased risk of abuses and of psychological suffering resulting from war-related experiences and from separation from family members.

Sexual violence in the context of war 

Sexual violence is used in armed conflicts to terrorize the population, break up families and destroy communities. Rape and other forms of sexual violence committed in the context of war may amount to war crimes. Sexual violence can affect all dimensions of a person's physical, psychological and social well-being. 

Risks of trafficking & exploitation 

People who are fleeing from war are particularly vulnerable to other crimes such as trafficking or other exploitation. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee the country or move to safety within Ukraine's borders, resulting in one of the largest European humanitarian crises in recent times. The risk of human trafficking, in particular for women and children fleeing the Russian aggression, remains high.  

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3 organisations found.

  • Avsi Polska
  • Sieć Pomocy Osobom Pokrzywdzonym Przestępstwem - Fundusz Sprawiedliwości
  • Instytutu Psychologii Zdrowia Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychologicznego
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Victims’ rights
in the European Union

The rights of victims’ family members

The rights of victims’ family members

Many of the rights that apply to victims also apply to their family members, such as the right to access support services, the right to protection and the right to privacy.
Right to protection and to individual assessment icon

Right to protection and to individual assessment

Victims and their family members have the right to be protected from secondary and repeat victimisation, intimidation, retaliation and emotional harm. The purpose of individual assessment is to identify whether victims have specific protection needs and to determine whether and to what extent they would benefit from special measures in the course of criminal proceedings. The dignity of victims must be protected when they are testifying.
Right to participate in criminal proceedings icon

Right to participate in criminal proceedings

Victims have the right to take part in criminal proceedings.
Right to support services icon

Right to support services

All victims have the right to confidential victim support services that is free of charge, acting in the interests of the victims before, during and for an appropriate time after criminal proceedings.
Right to information icon

Right to information

Victims have the right to receive information on a range of topics including, but not limited to, what support is available and how to access it, compensation, restorative justice, protection, how to report criminal offences and how to access legal advice.
Right to understand and to be understood icon

Right to understand and to be understood

Victims have the right to be heard, understood and respected. All communication with victims (written and spoken) must be simple and easy for them to understand.
Learn more about victims' rights in the EU

Eye-opening stories

Find out how keeping your eyes open can help victims of violence.

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