The Assistance Office for Victims of Crime (AOVD) is a free public service provided by a staff of civil servants from the Justice Department and by professional psychologists.
Assistance is not dependent on having previously lodged a complaint.
Objetives:
General legal orientation for the victim in order to prevent secondary victimization (Legal orientation and assistance in the lawsuit corresponds to the person who takes on the official conduct of litigation.)
Psychological support for victims
Referral to the necessary social resources
Intended for victims of:
Violent crimes resulting in death, serious injuries or harm to physical and/or mental health
Crimes against sexual freedom (direct or indirect)
Male aggression
Any type of victim, primary or secondary, or any type of crime, whether serious or minor, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been lodged
What we offer:
Information on the rights of the person who is the victim with the aim of preventing re-victimization or lack of protection after the crime
Information regarding the right to free legal assistance, depending on the case
Information on how to lodge a criminal complaint and where to lodge it, as well as orientation as to the nature of its content and processing through the court system
Up-to-date information on the status of the proceedings
Accompaniment to judicial processes, including to trials
Information regarding economic aid which might be available as a consequence of the crime, as determined by the law
Psychological support and treatment
Orientation as to existing social resources and possible access to these through referral, depending on the case
