Protection of victims in criminal proceedings

Victim protection is an important concern for the judiciary in North Rhine-Westphalia. The position of victims in investigative and criminal proceedings has been improved in the past through numerous legal changes. In addition to a further strengthening of procedural and information rights, victims of criminal offenses can make use of psychosocial trial support. Even if public prosecutors and courts are neutral towards all parties involved in the proceedings due to their legal role and observe the presumption of innocence, numerous legal regulations stipulate that suspected victims of a crime must be treated according to their respective protection needs. Their special needs must be taken into account.

This can include, for example, providing witnesses with special waiting rooms in court buildings so that they do not come into contact with the accused. Some courts already have witness support centers that take intensive care of witnesses around the trial. In certain cases, it is also possible to question victims of criminal offenses by video at an early stage in order to spare them from having to repeat their testimony at a later date as far as possible. Victims of certain crimes can also join the criminal proceedings as joint plaintiffs and pursue their interests for compensation. Lawyers are available to victims as counsel or representatives of a joint plaintiff.

In addition, there is the instrument of psychosocial trial support. All victims of criminal offenses can take advantage of this service. It is aimed in particular at injured minors and witnesses who have been significantly affected by serious crimes.

Injured parties can also use the so-called "adhesion proceedings" to assert claims for damages or compensation for pain and suffering against the perpetrator during the criminal proceedings in many cases.

Injured parties can find comprehensive guidance from the North Rhine-Westphalia Commissioner for Victim Protection, who is the contact person for all victims of crime in North Rhine-Westphalia, or by searching for advice centers in their area.

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The website of the Ministry of Justice provides a wide range of information on victim protection. The adhesion procedure and accessory prosecution are also explained there.