European Day for the Victims of Crime – February 22nd

On the EUROPEAN DAY OF THE VICTIM OF CRIME we want to remember that traffic victims are also victims of crime and that road violence can lead to deaths and serious injuries with lifelong consequences.

Last October 28, 2015, the Crime Victims Statute came into force, transposing the European Union Directives on the matter (Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, of October 25, 2012, establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime).

In the case of traffic victims, even being in most occasions the consequence of aggressions in traffic as a result of illicit, reckless and illegal conducts, a large part are processed as misdemeanor trial (it is estimated more than 80% of the cases), so they are not considered victims of crimes and therefore fall outside the scope of application of this law.

On the EUROPEAN DAY OF THE VICTIM OF CRIME we want to remember that traffic victims are also victims of crime and that road violence can cause deaths and serious injuries with lifelong consequences.

Failure by society, the state and the judicial system to recognize the loss and suffering suffered by traffic victims can lead to secondary victimization, accentuating and chronifying their anguish.

After a traumatic experience, such as a traffic accident, it is necessary to ensure a comprehensive and adequate post-accident response that includes:

– investigation according to regulations

– criminal and civil justice for victims

– adequate medical, psychological and social care

Resilience is the capacity of the human being to face traumatic experiences and to extract a benefit from them, understood as vital learning. We know that human beings are capable of resisting and rebuilding themselves in the face of life’s adversities, but society must offer all the guarantees to make this possible.

Yolanda Domenech
Psychologist and Director of P(A)T