for Traumatic Stress Studies and submitted to the Committee by the World Federation for Mental Health (E/AC.57/1990/NGO/3) should help significantly to upgrade the still limited expertise in that area, 12. In the debate, many participants stressed the importance of ensuring that work on victims' rights and support continued, and that the Declaration was fully implemented. There were encouraging recent developments, especially in improving the position of crime victims, who had tended to be a neglected party in criminal proceedings, such as the protection of witnesses against intimidation, without prejudice to the rights of offenders. In some countries special dispositions had been taken to aid victims, for instance by ensuring their right to privacy in sexual offences and in affording free treatment to those suffering mental ill-effects as a result of crime. Assistance to victims was being further Increased. There were new collaborative initiatives, such as the establishment of a European Forum on Victim Services, which promoted the exchange of experiences, the development of new services, and other means of assistance to crime victims. Those initiatives could be further extended and replicated in other regions with appropriate technical assistance. There was also a need to evaluate the impact of victim support schemes and the effectiveness of different kinds of treatment. Training of personnel was a key factor, but had to be accompanied by the creation of appropriate facilities and procedures so that the trained staff could properly use their newly acquired skills. Provision had to be made for changing requirements, especially in the training of trainers, which required continuous, often in-service, education. The media and the public also had to be informed, and appropriate educational programmes instituted. 13. It was necessary, one participant stressed, to convey to the population an accurate picture of the extent of crime, especially street crime which, if 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of ensuring victims' rights and support, particularly in the context of crime victims. It highlights the need for training, facilities, and procedures to aid victims, as well as the importance of informing the public and the media. This suggests that the text is focused on issues related to human welfare and social services.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief