February 22nd | European Day for Victims of Crime

On 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.

On October 28, 2015, the Crime Victim 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, by the establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of crime victims).

In the case of traffic victims, even though in most cases they are the result of attacks in traffic resulting from illicit, reckless and illegal conduct, a large part are not considered victims of crimes and therefore fall outside the scope of application of this law. law.

On 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.

Not acknowledging the loss and suffering suffered by victims of trafficking by society, the state and the judicial system can lead to secondary victimization, accentuating and chronicling their anguish.

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

– investigation according to regulations

– criminal and civil justice for victims

– appropriate medical, psychological and social care

Resilience is the ability of the human being to face traumatic experiences and extract a benefit from them, understood as vital learning. We know that the human being is capable of resisting and recovering from the adversities of life, but society must offer all the guarantees for this to be possible.

Yolanda Domenech
Psychologist and Director of P(A)T