Special Note: The World Society of Victimology posts an Open Letter to the President of China offering the sympathy and assistance of the WSV for survivors of the tragic earthquake.

The World Society of Victimology is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization with Special Category consultive status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Brought together by a mutual concern for victims, its world-wide membership includes: victim assistance practitioners, social scientists, social workers, physicians, lawyers, civil servants, volunteers, university academics of all levels, and students.

The purpose of the WSV is to advance victimological research and practices around the world; to encourage interdisciplinary and comparative work and research in this field, and to advance cooperation between international, national, regional and local agencies and other groups who are concerned with the problems of victims.

Advancing research, services and awareness for victims

Excerpted from: The Strategic Plan of the World Society of Victimology , with additional comments and information.

The Challenge

"The nature and extent of victimization is not adequately understood across the world. Millions of people throughout the world suffer harm as a result of crime, the abuse of power, terrorism and other stark misfortunes. Their rights and needs as victims of this harm have not been adequately recognized. "

"The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power in 1985" (advocated for and developed in consultation with the World Society of Victimology). "This provides a universal bench mark by which progress can be assessed in meeting the needs of victims of crime and abuse of power. "

"The rights of the victims of crime and abuse of power are still not adequately recognized in any part of the world. Their families, witnesses and others who aid them, are still unjustly subjected to loss, damage or injury. They too often suffer hardship when assisting in the prosecution of offenders. The recent UN Congress in Bangkok also drew attention to the victims of terrorism."
(Video of the World Society press conference from the 2005 Bangkok Congress)

"Victims of stark misfortunes such as natural disasters, accidents and diseases share similar trauma, loss and suffering. Services to meet the needs of victims have much in common between victims of crime, abuse of power and stark misfortunes. Action must be taken to advance research, services and awareness for victims across the world. "

Ten years after the adoption of the Declaration by the UN General Assembly, several members of the Society were instrumental in the development of two important instruments meant to further the implementation of the Declaration around the globe. These documents, the Guide for Policy Makers, and a Manual on the Implementation of the UN Declaration, provide policy-makers and practitioners with concrete examples of how they can push forward the implementation of the Declaration in their region.

Continuing with this tradition of global advocacy, the World Society of Victimology, in partnership with the International Victimology Institute (INTERVICT) of Tilburg University, is currently involved in the development of a full UN Convention for Victims (latest draft).

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