Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire – What Is It?

What is the Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire?

The Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire is a document prepared by law enforcement authorities — usually the police or the public prosecutor’s office — to gather key information about a person who has fallen victim to a crime. Its primary purpose is to assess the victim’s needs and determine what protective measures should be applied during the criminal proceedings.

The legal basis for conducting such an assessment is Article 22 of Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, which establishes minimum standards on the rights, support, and protection of victims of crime. As a member state of the European Union, Poland is obligated to implement these provisions into its national legal system.

In other words, every case involving a victim of crime requires a personalized look into the victim’s life, emotional state, and social situation. This allows law enforcement to tailor appropriate forms of support and prevent the victim from being retraumatized during the proceedings.

What Information Does the Questionnaire Contain?

The Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire consists of two main parts:

• Part A – concerns the personal details and individual circumstances of the victim.
  It includes, among other things, age, gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, and family, professional, and educational situation. This information helps law enforcement understand the victim’s life context and potential challenges that may arise during the proceedings.
• Part B – refers to the type and extent of the negative consequences of the crime.
  This section assesses the emotional, psychological, social, and economic impact of the incident on the victim.

The questionnaire also identifies the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator — whether they knew each other, and whether they were related by family, work, or other ties. This information is vital when deciding on preventive measures, such as restraining orders, contact bans, or the obligation for the perpetrator to leave the shared residence.

What Should Be Determined Before Completing the Questionnaire?

Before completing the questionnaire, law enforcement must establish several key factors that may affect how procedural actions are carried out:

1. Proficiency in the Polish language – It must be checked whether the victim can communicate effectively in Polish. If necessary, a foreign language interpreter must be appointed to ensure full understanding of the proceedings.
2. Communication difficulties – If the victim has limited ability to communicate (e.g., is deaf, blind, or has an intellectual disability), the authorities should provide a sign language interpreter or an expert in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

These preliminary steps are intended to ensure that the information-gathering process respects the dignity and rights of the victim, in line with the principle of equal access to justice.

Why Is the Questionnaire So Important?

The Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire is not merely a bureaucratic requirement — it is a tool that directly influences the way criminal proceedings are conducted.

Thanks to the questionnaire, law enforcement can:

• correctly classify the criminal offense,
• assess the level of risk and the need for protective measures,
• choose the appropriate method of interview (e.g., in a child-friendly or trauma-informed interview room),
• arrange psychological, medical, or legal support.

In practice, a properly completed questionnaire protects the victim from secondary victimization, i.e., from re-experiencing trauma during the criminal process. This is particularly important for children, victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses, or human trafficking.

What Does Cooperation with the Victim Look Like?

In the process of individual assessment, the victim’s active participation is essential. Law enforcement should conduct the conversation empathetically, respecting the victim’s emotions and boundaries.

The victim should be guaranteed:

• the right to be informed of their entitlements,
• the opportunity to submit requests and objections,
• access to psychological, legal, and social support,
• a sense of safety during testimony.

A properly conducted individual assessment not only enables the selection of appropriate protective measures, but also builds trust between the victim and the justice system. This, in turn, increases the effectiveness of the entire legal process.

Examples of Protective Measures Following Assessment

Based on the questionnaire, law enforcement may request the application of preventive measures against the perpetrator or protective actions for the victim. These may include:

• restraining orders or no-contact orders,
• an obligation for the perpetrator to leave the shared residence,
• police supervision,
• special interview procedures (e.g., without the perpetrator present, with a psychologist involved),
• assistance in finding shelter or support in a crisis intervention center.

These actions are intended to ensure the victim’s safety and psychological comfort at every stage of the proceedings.

Conclusion – The Practical Importance of Individual Assessment

The Victim’s Individual Assessment Questionnaire is not just a formal obligation, but primarily a human rights protection tool. It helps law enforcement better understand the victim’s situation and make decisions based on actual needs rather than fixed procedures.

It is this individualized approach — considering the victim’s age, health status, disability, gender, life experiences, and relationship with the perpetrator — that allows for the selection of appropriate protective measures.

Cooperation with the victim is the cornerstone of effective criminal proceedings. Trust, empathy, and understanding are the elements that can determine whether a victim feels heard and safe.

Experts emphasize that individual victim assessment is a step toward a more humane justice system, where the focus is not only on the offender and the offense, but most importantly on the person — the one who has been harmed.

???? Do You Need Help or Legal Advice?

If you are a crime victim or represent someone in need of support — contact us.

We will help you understand your rights, explain how the individual assessment questionnaire works, and how you can protect your safety.