Victims of crime will now be notified if their perpetrator escapes or is released from prison, as provided in a law passed by parliament on Thursday.

The amendments to the law on the establishment of minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime came following a law proposal by Akel MP Irini Charalambidou, which aims to strengthen the rights and protection of victims and to make the implementation of this legislation more effective.

Under the amendments, the term “victim” is broadened so that where victim becomes incapable of exercising their judgement, the victim’s rights may be exercised by members of their family for as long as the incapacity lasts.

It also extends the obligation of the services involved to provide appropriate training for their officials on the treatment and specific needs of victims.

The right of victims to receive information about their case is also ensured, including the strengthening of the right of victims to be informed about the release or escape of a person in custody, accused or convicted of an offence concerning the victim.

The victim’s right not to be informed of the release or escape of the offender will be exercised in writing.

It is also provided that the department of prisons shall have a duty to notify police without undue delay of the release or escape of the offender.

Highlighting the importance of the amendments, Charalambidou said there was a case where the victim of an unspecified crime was confronted with their perpetrator, without knowing about his release from jail.

Disy MP Nicos Tornaritis also welcomed the changes in the regulation, saying those are applied in most EU member states and that Cyprus is making an important step forward.

The law comes to correct long-standing distortions in dealing with victims of abuse, which is particularly important following the increase in violence against women due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Dipa MP Alekos Tryfonides.