Psychosocial support during legal proceedings – applying for the appointment of a support worker

You have been the victim of a criminal offence and have suffered injury as a result.

As a victim of a criminal offence, you are entitled to psychosocial support during legal proceedings. You will usually have to cover the costs of this yourself.
Only if the competent court appoints a psychosocial support worker for you will you not incur any costs.

Children and young people who have been victims of serious violent or sexual offences are entitled to such support.

In certain circumstances, adults who have been victims of serious violent or sexual offences may also be assigned a psychosocial support worker, as may children, parents, siblings, spouses or partners whose relative has been killed as a result of an unlawful act.

For an adult to be assigned a support worker, the victim must be in particular need of protection. This is usually the case, for example, with

• people with a disability,
• people with a mental health condition,
• victims of sexual offences,
• victims of violent crimes (with serious physical, psychological or financial consequences, or where the offence took place over a prolonged period, such as in cases of domestic violence or stalking),
• victims of prejudice-motivated violence and other hate crimes, and
• victims of human trafficking.