NLU Delhi: Advancing Victim Rights And Support Systems Across Asia- A Collaborative Vision Realized At The 2nd VSA Conference

The 2nd Victim Support Asia (VSA) Conference, held on 9th & 10th November 2024 in collaboration with National Law University, Delhi (NLUD), concluded with a sense of accomplishment. Over two days, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, shared insights, and explored innovative strategies to advance victim support across diverse jurisdictions.

Organized by the Centre for Criminology & Victimology (CCV) at NLU Delhi and Victim Support Asia (VSA), the conference opened with a powerful inaugural session that set the tone for critical conversations to follow. Distinguished guests, including Mr. Yong Woo Lee, President of Victim Support Asia, and Guest of Honor Justice Rajesh Bindal from the Supreme Court of India, underscored the importance of bridging systemic gaps to better serve victims within the criminal justice system.

Plenary sessions brought together a wealth of perspectives, examining the complexities of victim rights and support mechanisms across various regions, from Europe and America to Asia. Comparative analyses from experts like Mr. Michael O'Connell and Ms. Rosa Jansen provided valuable insights into how legal frameworks can be adapted and enhanced to meet victims' needs more effectively.

Speaker sessions delved into diverse aspects of victim assistance, advocacy, and protection, with specific attention to compensatory and restorative justice themes. Discussions emphasized the growing need to move beyond traditional reparation mechanisms and incorporate restorative justice practices that prioritize healing and reconciliation, especially in post-conflict societies.

This interdisciplinary convergence brought together legal scholars, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and social workers, whose collective expertise highlighted the multifaceted nature of victimization and underscored the necessity for comprehensive, collaborative support systems.