Victim Support Hub

Webinar – Coming together and re-connecting
2021-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels) | VSE hub – online
COVID restrictions have made it a difficult 18 months to connect and have space to talk about our work and listen to others. We know these opportunities to learn from each other are one of the most valuable aspects of our network which is why we want to create this moment where we can all talk and hear about the amazing work you are all doing. A moment to come together as a community hearing from new and seasoned VSE members alike.
During the event, you will have a chance to showcase your activities, projects, challenges and successes and explore how we may be supportive of each others’ work. We hope the event will also act as inspiration to others, and to that end we would invite you to send us a short video of one activity that you feel will inspire others. The videos will be presented during the event, and will also be available at the VSE Hub.
If you’re interested in preparing a video, please send us an email with a short description of the activity/project you would like to present to: s.haimov@victimsupporteurope.eu

Unrequited Love: Stalking & Harassment within an Ex-Partner Context
2021-08-26 17:30 - 19:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
UWS & Centre for Action Against Stalking’s seminar will focus on the differences between stalking & harassment within an ex-partner context.

About this event

The seminar will focus the intrinsic differences between Stalking and Harassment within an ex-partner context, its links to femicide, the legal and mental health context under which the behaviours arise, lessons learned, where are we now and what needs to change.
Speakers:
Tricia Bernal – CEO of Protection Against Stalking.
Tricia’s daughter Claire was murdered by Michael Pech, a man she only dated for three weeks before ending the relationship. Pech stalked her for weeks mainly targeting her at London’s exclusive Harvey Nichols, where she worked as a beauty consultant. Claire pleaded with the Police to take her seriously but at that time stalking was not recognised as a precursor to murder, never mind a crime. Tricia has continued to campaign for change in addressing his crime.
Dr Jane Monckton Smith – Professor of Public Protection
Dr Jane Monckton Smith is Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire. She has authored a new theoretical framework for tracking homicide risk in cases of domestic abuse and stalking. Her wider body of work is acknowledged as having societal impact and influence, and is described as outstanding and innovative.
In addition to academic work she maintains a wide portfolio of professional and case work. This includes Chairing statutory Domestic Homicide Reviews, advising panels and investigations on complex and high profile murders, advising and training professionals in threat and risk assessment, and working with organisations like the police in developing policy and practice. She acts as an expert witness and also helps families bereaved through homicide with various criminal justice processes, through her work with charitable organisations.
Dr Rachael Wheatley – Forensic Psychologist, HMPPS, UK
Rachael Wheatley works with stalking offenders within a custodial setting with an emphasis on what drove their behaviour and how practitioners can respond to this in relation to considering desistance from further offending.
Hamish Brown MBE – A specialist in the offence of stalking and harassment
Hamish Brown MBE is the recognised leading authority on the interpretation and application of stalking legislation in the United Kingdom. In 2004 Hamish retired from New Scotland Yard’s Specialist Crime Directorate after over 30 years service with the Metropolitan Police. Hamish now offers his services as a consultant, trainer and lecturer on stalking legislation, celebrity stalking and workplace violence as well as one-to-one advice for those in fear of being stalked the author of the Metropolitan Police advice leaflet ‘ Protection from Stalking and Harassment: A Guide to minimising the risk to children
This Seminar will take place on Zoom. The link will be sent out after registration.
To reserve a place for this free online seminar please click the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/copy-of-unrequited-love-stalking-harassment-within-an-ex-partner-context-tickets-160780295191

Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections
2021-08-20 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
To mark the International Day, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)/the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, are holding an online high-level event entitled ‘Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections’ with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres and will features testimonies from victims of terrorism and closing remarks from Under-Secretary-General Mr. Vladimir Voronkov.

A short film “Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections” will be launched, which features testimonies of victims and survivors of terrorism from across the world reciting a collective ode and sharing why connections is important. This will be followed by an interactive discussion featuring victims and victims’ associations to discuss the importance of connections and how to strengthen the rights and needs of victims.

Accessible and Sustainable Psychological Support to Victims of Terrorism
2021-08-20 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The focus of the event is on victims’ psychological and psychosocial support, highlighting UNODC’s project on supporting victims of terrorism in Iraq within the criminal justice framework, including through psychological support, in cooperation with the Lebanese Association for Victims of Terrorism (AVT-L), with funding from the Netherlands.

Victims' rights in Europe - why do they matter for offender reintegration?
2021-07-07 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels)
The Confederation of European Probation is organising a Webinar on Victims’ Rights.
Victims’ rights in Europe evolved in the past years, and the European Commission launched its first-ever Victims’ Rights Strategy in 2020.
What are the important elements of this Strategy? What are the implications for probation, prison, and restorative justice? How could these fields support victims’ rights and make their work more informed on victims’ needs? What about vulnerable victims, such as victims in detention?
This webinar explores the intersections between victims’ rights and offender reintegration, and that how these fields can mutually support each other.
Speakers:

Alena Koudelkova – European Commission, Victims’ Rights Team
Laure Baudrihaye-Gérard – Legal Director, Fair Trials
Levent Altan – Executive Director, Victim Support Europe

Presentations are followed by a discussion, in the presence of CEP, EuroPris and EFRJ directors.
Link for info and registration: https://www.cep-probation.org/events/criminal-justice-platform-webinar-on-victims-rights/

International Conference on Child-Friendly Justice: “Can Justice be Child-Friendly? – National and International Perspectives”
2021-06-30 00:00 - 2021-07-01 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The event aims to provide a platform for discussion of the level of transposition and implementation of two EU Directives: Directive (EU) 2016/800 and Directive (EU) 2012/29 as well as of the approaches and practices in three member states – Bulgaria, Italy and Romania.

Beyond the tip of the iceberg: Sexual violence in Belgium
2021-06-17 09:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Helsinki)

Webinar session: The funding & tenders portal for beginners
2021-05-27 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels)

Annual General Meeting 2021
2021-05-26 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Every year, members of Victim Support Europe attend the AGM to share lessons learned and explore strategies for the advancement of victims’ rights. The event is an opportunity to network with other VSE members, strengthen our work, and empower the community of advocates dedicated to the cause.

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We will focus on following main points:• Voting for President, Vice-President & Board Members• Approval of VSE Financial Report• Brief update on VSE work
