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Origins and achievements of Victim Support Europe

1990	All national organisations in Europe working with victims of crime founded the European Forum for Victim Services, the precedent of Victim Support Europe.
1996	European Forum for Victim Services produced a major policy statement: Statement of Victim’s Rights in the Process of Criminal Justice.
1997	European Forum for Victim Services published the Statement of Victims’ Rights in the Process of Criminal Justice. This statement sets out the guiding principles and basic rights victims should expect to prevail in their experience in the criminal justice process as well as the victim’s right to compensation.
1998	European Forum for Victim Services published the Statement of the Social Rights of Crime which sets out the basic principles victims should expect to receive in respect of health care, home security, employment, privacy, income, education, compensation and support services.
1998 – 1999	The European Commission set up a Committee of Experts. Members of European Forum for Victim Services were active members of the Committee and all publications of European Forum for Victim Services informed its work. The Committee produced a statement, Crime Victims in the European Union: reflection on standards and action which was adopted by the Commission and endorsed by the Council of Ministers. As a result of this work the rights of victims have become firmly established on the agenda of the European Union and a new Commission for Justice and Home Affairs has been set up to promote the work.
1999	European Forum for Victim Services published its Statement of Victims’ Rights to Standards of Service which sets out the minimum standards which should apply in any organisation providing support services to victims of crime.
2002	According to the Council of Ministers, EU member states are bound to the Framework Decision on the Standing of Victims in Criminal Proceedings. This framework highlights issues of concern and sets out principles and rights which victims of crime are entitled to in the course of criminal proceedings.
2007	In October the European Forum for Victim Services officially changed its name to Victim Support Europe. Victim Support Europe chose the new name to illustrate the fact that the organisation is professionalizing itself into a strong European organisation, working as a competent representative stimulating further establishment of the rights of victims of crime in Europe. Together with this, the organisation changed its company style.
2008	In February the Manifesto for Europe was presented to the European Commission in Brussels.
2008	Victim Support Europe has nowadays 22 national organisations in 20 European countries, reflecting the growing recognition across Europe of the needs and rights of victims of crime.