Government Support: Austria

Government Assistance to Victims

Victims of an intentionally committed criminal act are entitled to psycho-social and legal assistance according to the Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure (section 66). The Victims of Crime Act provides for financial compensation and social benefits if the victim suffered bodily harm as the result of an intentionally committed crime.

Legal Resources available to Victims

All persons whose rights were infringed by the defendant(s) have the right to declare themselves a civil party to the criminal proceedings and to claim compensation (Austrian Code of Criminal Procedure, section 67).

Collaboration with other Organisations

Non-governmental organizations or community-based organizations

The government works with non-governmental organizations supporting victims of crime.

International and/or regional organizations

Austria engages in discussions within the EU and in international fora, in particular the UN, the UN-Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the OSCE etc with a view to strengthening support to victims of terrorism.