41% of young adults in Ireland unaware victims of crime are protected through EU rights

The European Commission officially launched its campaign to raise awareness about the rights for victims of crime in Ireland and the support that is available to them.

To highlight the importance of looking out for victims of crime, public figures such as Dr. Mamobo Ogoro and James Kavanagh participated in the ‘Eyes Open’ challenge by staring into the eyes of a member of the public, encouraging them to keep their eyes open.

By taking part, all participants were invited to take a personal commitment and keep their eyes open when facing a crime, to support victims of such crime.

The campaign launch took place at the Road to Nowhere area at the All Together Now festival, running from 30 July to 2 August 2026 at Curraghmore Estate, Co. Waterford.

The activation was open from 10:00am to 5:00pm, where festivalgoers were invited to take part in the ‘Eyes Open’ challenge and learn more about victims’ rights and the support services available.

The campaign originates from the EU Strategy on victims’ rights, which aims to ensure that the fundamental rights of all victims of crime are promoted and protected.

The Commission is currently in the process of renewing this Strategy for the next term.

Michael McGrath EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection said, “Crime can have profound and lasting effects on victims. They must be heard, supported, and treated with respect and fairness throughout their journey in the criminal justice system.

This requires robust legislation and policies, alongside the active engagement of society as a whole, to ensure that victims’ rights are effectively upheld in practice.

The ‘Keep Your Eyes Open’ campaign seeks to raise awareness of victims’ rights and encourage citizens to build a supportive community around those affected.

Ultimately, staying alert and fostering awareness are important steps toward strengthening protection, support, and justice for all victims.”

Prior to launching the campaign, the European Commission conducted a study in Ireland among 18-to-30 years old to assess the awareness and perception of victims’ rights as well as to understand the knowledge about support services and possibility to report crimes.

The study revealed that 41% of respondents in Ireland are unaware or unsure that victims of crime are protected in the EU through specific rights, while 25% say they are not at all familiar with these rights.

Therefore, the campaign contributes to enhancing the knowledge and understanding that victims and their friends and family have about their rights when experiencing crime victimisation and how to access specific support.

The same study shows that 89% of respondents in Ireland would recommend victims to seek help using professional support services.

The “Keep Your Eyes Open” campaign aims to create an environment where victims of crime feel safe, understood, and supported.

The campaign therefore aims not only to raise awareness about the rights of victims, but also to provide a list of dedicated organisations that victims can reach out to for support.

It follows a 360° approach, including the dedicated Eyes Open Challenge as well as paid social media, media partnerships and outreach, influencer collaborations, and stakeholder engagement.

All information about crimes, victims’ rights and support organisations in Ireland are available on https://victims-rights.campaign.europa.eu/en/country/ireland#action