PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTIM SUPPORT EUROPE TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL CRUISE VICTIM ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO HAVE THE EUROPEAN UNION(EU) TO ADAPT SAFETY REGULATIONS   

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON The International Cruise Victims Association, Inc. (ICV), a not for profit corporation formed by victims and families of victims of cruise crimes, announced today that the Victim Support Europe  is uniting with ICV to push for passage of safety regulations for passengers on cruise ships in Europe. The model for this would be the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act as passed by the United States Congress in July of last year. 

In line with this announcement, David McKenna, President of Victim Support Europe, stated,   Whether at home or abroad, at sea or onboard any other forms of transportation, people have the same fundamental right to safety and protection as well as the right to an effective remedy and assistance in case any of their rights are breached. Victim Support Europe (VSE) acknowledges that more needs to be done to ensure that victims of crimes committed on cruise ships and their families are able to access support and have their rights protected. VSE therefore supports International Cruise Victims Associations call to strengthen the legislative protection for victims of crime within the EU, to ensure that all victims are protected and given equal access to rights and services in the aftermath of crime.

Victim Support Europe was founded in 1990 by national organizations in Europe working with victims of crime. Members of Victim Support Europe have developed support, information and advocacy services to victims, using the skills of trained volunteers and staff.

Victim Support Europe exists to:

• promote the development of effective services for victims of crime throughout Europe
• promote fair and equal compensation for victims of crime in Europe, regardless of the nationality of the victim
• promote the rights of victims of crime in Europe in their involvement in the criminal justice system and with other agencies
• exchange experience and information between member organizations to share best practices and knowledge

Victim Support Europe is in consultative status with the Council of Europe and the UN.

Read more about the origins and achievements of Victim Support Europe

Which countries are affiliated?

Currently, 26 national and regional organizations are affiliated to Victim Support Europe.

The participating countries are:

For further information on this worldwide group, the link to their website is as follow:

http://www.victimsupporteurope.eu/

Kendall Carver, Chairman of ICV, indicated that the following, ICV is most pleased that this group has joined our efforts to improve the safety for all of those that travel at sea on cruise ships.  Since the recent bill passed last July that provides protection only for those U.S. citizens that travel to or from the United States, the goal is to start the process to extend this protection on a worldwide basis.

              Kendall Carver, Chairman                                          

              Jamie Barnett, President

  For more information about the International Crime Victims Association, please visit www.internationalcruisevictims.org or contact the following:

Kendall Carver
E-Mail Kcarver17@cox.net                                             Phone 602 852 5896 or 602 989 6752

-- Edited by News Editor on Thursday 7th of July 2011 05:19:00 AM

-- Edited by News Editor on Thursday 7th of July 2011 05:19:17 AM