Psychosocial and Legal Procedural Support for Victims According to § 66b StPO

The funding for psychosocial and legal procedural support pursuant to § 66b StPO assists non-profit organizations, interest groups, and associations in Vienna in providing comprehensive care to victims of criminal offenses during investigation and main proceedings. The aim is to safeguard the procedural rights of those affected, with particular consideration of their personal circumstances. With a budgeted volume of 7.9 million euros, psychosocial measures to prepare for interrogations and to cope with emotional burdens, as well as legal services for legal advice and representation by attorneys, are funded upon request. The funding is provided as an ongoing grant; applications can be submitted at any time until the budget is exhausted. The legal basis, in addition to § 66b StPO, consists of the General Framework Guidelines for the Granting of Funding from Federal Funds (ARR 2004).

Particularly vulnerable persons pursuant to § 65 Z 1 lit. a b StPO especially benefit from this program. A prerequisite for funding is the suitability of the institution according to legal requirements as well as a contractual assignment by the Federal Ministry of Justice. Through close coordination with the Ministry, established victim support organizations are involved, ensuring professional accompaniment throughout the entire procedure. Thus, the funding makes a decisive contribution to strengthening social cohesion and equal access to justice by providing those affected with the necessary support to effectively exercise their rights.