Bremen's Victims' Protection Commissioner

Victims of crime and violence need information and support. This is precisely what Bremen's Victim Protection Officer provides. He acts as a liaison for all victims of serious crime and violence, directing them to the various victim support institutions and initiatives in Bremen, advising them about their rights, and connecting them with available help and support.

Why is there a Victims' Rights Commissioner?
The terrorist attack on Berlin's Breitscheidplatz and other attacks such as those in Halle and Hanau have shown that, for the best possible support of all victims, relatives, and survivors, it is important to have central contact persons at the state and federal levels. Therefore, all the heads of government of the federal states, including the President of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, together with the Federal Chancellor, decided to establish so-called "central victim support structures."

What are the responsibilities of the Victims' Rights Officer?
The Victims' Rights Officer is the point of contact for victims of physical and psychological violence and their loved ones.
They are there to support them, provide information about psychosocial, financial, and other forms of assistance, and connect those affected with the support network of victim assistance organizations.
They advise those affected and coordinate the necessary help and support between the relevant agencies.

At the same time, the commissioner has the task of developing proposals and concepts for the further development of victim protection in Bremen and strengthening the network of existing support services in this area.

Who is Bremen's Victims' Rights Commissioner?
In early November 2020, Uwe Hellpap was appointed Bremen's first State Victims' Rights Commissioner by the Senator for Justice and Constitution. Since then, he has served as the central contact person for the concerns of victims.