Independent Sector for Victim and Witness Support

Independent Sector for Victim and Witness takes over the leading role in institutionalising the system of victim/witness support within the judiciary and the role of managing the strategic development of the very system in the Republic of Croatia.

This includes the international and interinstitutional cooperation and monitoring the application of international agreements regarding the victim/witness issues and participation in drafting the ordinances and providing comments on the ordinances related to victim/witness rights. Furthermore, the Sector organises the professional training for the staff regarding the victim/witness support and psychological supervision of the staff and volunteers.

The Sector performs administrative and professional tasks with the National Committee for Witness/Victim Support, it monitors the work of the offices for victim/witness support at courts and other judicial bodies, standardises the practice and develops the system of the just pecuniary compensation to victims of criminal offences and compensations for unfounded arrests and convictions.

The following organisational units are established within the Independent Sector for Victim and Witness Support:

• Department for Victim/Witness Support and International Cooperation
• Department for Indemnity in Criminal Procedures

Scope of work of the Independent Sector for Victim and Witness Support is stipulated by the Decree on Internal Organisation of the Ministry of Justice (OG 28/2012).