Ayleen Charlotte gained international recognition after her story was featured in the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler. What began as a relationship turned into one of the most high-profile online fraud cases of the decade. Instead of remaining silent, Ayleen chose to fight back and became a global voice for fraud victims.

Today, she is the founder of S.A.F.E. by Ayleen Charlotte (Scam Awareness & Fraud Education), a victim-centered training framework designed to equip organizations with the knowledge, tools and mindset to prevent fraud and support victims effectively. Through keynotes, in-depth trainings and strategic programs, S.A.F.E. helps financial institutions, governments and law enforcement respond to fraud with empathy, expertise and meaningful action. Her work bridges the gap between lived victim experience and institutional responsibility.

In 2023, Ayleen was named Scam Fighter of the Year in recognition of her global impact. She also serves as a Board Member of GASA (Global Anti-Scam Alliance), contributing to international collaboration, policy development and large-scale prevention strategies.

Blending lived experience with professional insight, Ayleen Charlotte is redefining fraud prevention by centering victims, driving systemic change and turning awareness into action.

Levent is responsible for providing overall leadership, strategic direction and management of the organisation. He has been Executive Director of Victim Support Europe since November 2014. Before joining Victim Support Europe, he worked as Principal Legal Advisor at Milieu Ltd, a multi-disciplinary consultancy, where led a team running various multi-country projects on justice and home affairs. He worked twice for the European Commission (DG Justice) as a national expert.

During that time he was responsible for drafting and negotiating the EU Directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. Prior to this, Levent had been working for around 10 years as a UK civil servant in the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.

Tommaso Chiamparino is the European Commission Coordinator for victims’ rights. He took office on 1 April 2026, replacing the first ever EC coordinator Katarzyna Janicka-Pawlowska. Before the current position, Tommaso served as team leader on combating hate speech and hate crime in the Fundamental rights policy unit in the Directorate General for Justice and Consumers. He has worked in the fundamental rights field since 2016, and during this period was also the European Commission coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred. Previously, he worked on consumers rights in the European Commission and on environmental sustainability and stakeholder engagement practices in the not-for-profit and consultancy sectors.

Kjartan Björnsson has been Head of Governance and Public Administration Unit in the Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) since January 2024. The unit provides and coordinates technical support in the areas of central and local administration, digital public administration, judicial system and anti-corruption and the efficient use of the EU funds. The Unit also oversees the implementation of ComPAct and chairs a Member State expert group and a Commission interservice group on Public Administration.
Previously, Kjartan was Deputy Director and Head of Cyprus Settlement Support Unit in
REFORM, Deputy Head of Unit for regional cooperation and programmes in DG NEAR, and
he has served in the EU Delegations in Pristina and Sarajevo.
He is a graduate in Economics of the University of Copenhagen and holds a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Copenhagen

Fernando Hortal Foronda is Case Handler at the European Commission - DG CONNECT.

He has previously worked European Partnership for Democracy as an advocate for platform regulation and data protection and as researcher on multiple areas of EU policies for various organisations including the European Parliament Research Service, universities, think tanks and consultancies. He holds an MSc in European Studies by the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fernando hold a MSc in European Studies (Research) from the London School of Economics and a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics jointly awarded by Pompeu Fabra University, Carlos III University and the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Simon Franc is a British entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO behind several forensics and social justice tech ventures.

Simon Franc is a dynamic and socially-driven entrepreneur at the intersection of forensic science and digital tech. He leads two impactful companies—Forensic Equity and kulpa—both of which are reshaping how evidence is collected, validated, and used to secure justice in everyday crimes.

🧠 Background & Education
Born in Reading, UK (c. 1990), educated at Leighton Park School and Farnborough Sixth Form College.
Graduated from the University of Southampton in 2012 with First-Class Honours in Management Sciences; earned a faculty-wide award.

🌐 Career Path
Early Career & Finance
Started in FX trading at Foreign Currency Direct, later joined RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) in Debt Capital Markets.

Forensic and Tech Ventures
Founded Forensic Equity Limited in 2010 during uni years; became full-time CEO in 2014. The firm now provides forensic science services across the UK, with 70+ staff and offices in London, Manchester, Cambridge, and Berkshire.

In 2020, launched kulpa, a mobile/web app empowering users to securely collect evidence for criminal incidents, or civil disputes.

The app was developed in collaboration with police, victim support organizations, and legal experts—all to ensure forensic-grade evidence captured via smartphone is admissible in court.

Designed to enable users to take scaled photos, log incident details, attach files, and share compiled evidence directly with law enforcement or legal counsel.

🏆 Key Highlights
Innovative social justice mission: kulpa aims to increase conviction rates in volume crimes (e.g., antisocial behaviour, theft, domestic violence and assault) by empowering victims to build strong evidence packages.

Forensic rigor meets digital tech: the evidence collection system preserves timestamps, metadata, and forensic validation paths, giving metadata weight in court.

Rapid professional growth: from FX broker to investment banker, pivoting to CEO roles in forensic science and social-impact tech, plus founding an angel investment fund (Quartervois Group, est. 2018).

Recognized as a rising leader—joined the Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland in 2020, sharing insights through podcasts.

Christian Ransley is a technology and telecommunications professional with over 25 years of experience across ISPs, VoIP, software development, data centres, networking and IoT.

He founded Fastnet Ltd. in 1997 while studying Business and Computing, later selling the company to Keyworld Ltd. in 2002, where he became Technical Manager and subsequently General Manager.

In 2006, Christian joined Solutions & Infrastructure Services (SIS) as Chief Operating Officer, where he established Malta’s first carrier-neutral data centre and carrier-grade VoIP operation, and oversaw major fibre, wireless and network infrastructure projects.

In 2016, he joined Ozone Ltd. as General Manager, expanding business ISP services and leading telecommunications solutions for the hospitality sector.

In 2019, he joined Yaza Software Ltd. as Director and shareholder, developing bespoke software and monetised Wi-Fi solutions. In 2021, he launched Yaza Tech, where he focuses on IoT solutions for Fleet, Asset and Workforce Management.

Naomi Hija was born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. With an American mother of Italian heritage and an Indonesian father, she grew up with a strong appreciation for cultural diversity, perseverance, and community.

Her professional journey began in youth care, where she progressed from support worker to Quality Manager. Seeking new challenges, she transitioned into technology, working for several years as a Project and Process Manager.

In 2023, Naomi combined her experience in healthcare and technology to found EviSafe, a company dedicated to preventing domestic violence through smart mobile applications that support and protect people in vulnerable situations.

Driven by a strong commitment to social impact, Naomi is passionate about working with individuals and organizations to help create a safer, more inclusive, and equitable society.

Tatiana Kazadi Tshikala is a criminologist and policy professional working with the Flemish Agency for Justice and Enforcement (Agentschap Justitie en Handhaving). She studied Criminological Sciences at Ghent University and has developed extensive experience in the field of criminal justice, probation and the reintegration of people involved with the justice system. Earlier in her career, she worked as a prison trajectory counsellor, conducted research at Ghent University on the reintegration of detainees, and served as a justice assistant at the Antwerp Justice House, where she worked on the supervision of people subject to judicial conditions and electronic monitoring. Her academic work has focused on detention, prison policy, reintegration and criminal justice. She has also contributed to research and professional discussions on prison drug policy, administrative enforcement and probation.

Veerle De Craene is a Belgian gender policy expert working at the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, Belgium’s federal institution dedicated to promoting and protecting gender equality. In her current role as Policy Officer for Gender-Based Violence and Coordinator of the Mobile Stalking Alarm, she works on policy and practical responses to gender-based violence, with a particular focus on supporting victims and addressing stalking and technology-facilitated forms of abuse.

Her professional experience combines gender equality policy, international development, programme coordination and evaluation. She has previously been involved in international cooperation and humanitarian and development programmes, including work connected to West Africa. This experience has given her a practical understanding of how gender considerations can be integrated into policies, programmes and services.

In her current work, Veerle contributes to strengthening institutional responses to gender-based violence and improving protection mechanisms for people affected by stalking. Her profile brings together policy expertise, programme experience and a strong focus on translating gender-equality principles into concrete measures that improve safety, rights and access to support.

Dr Cath Hill is a Social Work academic at Lancaster University and a registered social worker in the UK, where she specialises in social work with children and young people and trauma-informed approaches to victimisation and abuse. Cath and her son, who was ten at the time, survived the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017. Aware that many young people affected by that attack were struggling with their mental distress, and some were unable to access support, Cath founded Manchester Survivors Choir, a peer support group for young survivors and their families. Through this voluntary work she identified a need to advocate for young victims. This led to her developing and leading the Bee the Difference research project, a collaborative project with young survivors and disaster response charity the National Emergencies Trust, which highlighted the support needs of young people affected by terrorism. She is a trustee for UK charity Survivors Against Terror, on the victims advocate group for Victim Support Europe and a survivor’s advisory panel member for the National Emergencies Trust. She has advised both the Home Office and Department of Education in the UK on how to support young people affected by sudden traumatic incidents.

Astrid Passin was born in Görlitz in 1973. At the age of four, her family moved to Berlin because of her father’s teaching job. Her artistic career as a glass engraver began at the porcelain manufactory in Meissen in 1989 and ended in Bavaria after the country’s shift in politics. She then studied graphics and communication design in Potsdam, after which she worked as a freelance graphic artist and interior designer in Berlin and Brandenburg. When her daughter was born, she joined the family company in retail, working first as a manager, then as a freelance entrepreneur.

But everything changed on 19 December 2016. She lost her father in the deadly terrorist attack on the Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. A lorry was driven at full speed into a crowd, taking several lives and breaking Berlin’s heart in seconds. Three days of uncertainty followed, as she waited to hear whether her father’s death would be confirmed or whether he somehow survived in hospital. Once politicians and the authorities hesitantly began dealing with the people affected, Astrid Passin’s battle to tackle these issues began. To this day, she volunteers to help the victims of terrorism, both in Germany and abroad. The national remembrance day commemorating the victims of terrorism on 11 March was established in Germany thanks also to her efforts. As spokesperson for the initiative on December 19, 2016, she became the founder and chairwoman of the first German organization for victims of terrorism, VoT Germany.

Born into a religious cult and subjected to continuous abuse, neglect, and coercive control from childhood, Moubajel was forced into a marriage just days after her 16th birthday. Trapped for six years under severe physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse, and isolated from the outside world, she eventually escaped with her two young daughters.

Her escape, however, did not end the abuse. For over a decade, Moubajel faced threats, re-traumatisation through the family courts, and systemic failures from services that should have protected her and her children. With no support or recognition of her experiences, she was left to survive, learn, and protect her children alone.

Through resilience, self-education, and healing from complex trauma, Moubajel transformed her lived experience into powerful insight. Today, she speaks out on domestic violence, gender-based violence, child and forced marriage, coercive control, human trafficking, and the hidden harms of cult and honour-based violence.

Ruth Maxwell is a survivor of a random knife attack in 2016 that left her with life-changing injuries. Her attacker, later convicted of five violent assaults over six years – including attempted rape, sexual assault and attempted strangulation – is now serving the longest sentence ever handed down in the Republic of Ireland for a single offender.

Following her harrowing experience, Ruth found the process of applying for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (CICT) deeply retraumatising. This injustice led her to begin advocating for change, both for herself and for others facing the same barriers.

Over the past nine years, Ruth has supported victims navigating the CICT process and now works as a CICT Consultant, highlighting the need for trauma-informed reform. Her advocacy has also led to engagement with the Law Reform Commission, where she contributed to drawing national attention to gaps in the system.

Lisa Marie Schaumburg is a psychologist, PhD researcher, and children’s rights advocate. Her early life was marked by exposure to domestic violence, parental mental health struggles, and complex custody battles that ultimately placed her in the care of an abusive parent. These challenges have given her a grounded understanding of how vulnerable children and individuals can fall through institutional gaps when society fails to identify abused children as victims. Today, she brings this experience both into her advocacy and professional life: While her research explores key issues surrounding the emotional abuse and neglect of children, her advocacy brings these issues into the limelight, highlighting the complexity of children’s lives after abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. Her priority is to show both policymakers and laypeople that putting children’s emotional needs at the heart of child-focused policy and legislature is key to creating a happier, healthier next generation.

Nela Kalpic’s work in victim rights is shaped by lived experience. A survivor of war, displacement, and domestic violence, she understands firsthand the challenges victims face when navigating harm, fear, and systems that may not know how to respond. Originally from Serbia, Nela lived for over a decade in the Middle East before making the United States her home, experiences that shaped her commitment to a serious, humane, and holistic approach to justice.

Nela contributed to the ballot initiative that strengthened crime victims’ rights in the Wisconsin Constitution and continued working with justice-system stakeholders to support implementation. She created the internationally recognised Victim Rights Mapping framework, adopted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and adapted by the National Guard and Department of Corrections.

She serves on national victim-rights boards and advisory bodies and is a member of INVICTM. A sought-after international speaker and advisor, her work has earned several honours, including the Governor’s Courage Award and a 2025 Wisconsin DOJ nomination for the U.S. DOJ National Crime Victims’ Service Award.

She holds a degree in social work and has 25 years of experience within the Belgian local police, where she has specialized in crisis intervention and police victim care. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in assisting victims in complex and highly impactful situations. Her professional practice is further strengthened by her qualifications as a Solution Focused Practitioner and EMDR Europe Practitioner, enabling her to provide structured, goal-oriented, and evidence-based support.

During the conference, she will address the referral pathways in Belgium for victims of domestic violence. Attention will be given to collaboration with partner organizations and the importance of an integrated and coordinated approach, aimed at ensuring timely and appropriate access to support services for victims.

Jorn van Rij is a Senior Researcher on the topic of Human Trafficking at the Netherlands National Police focusing on international operating criminal networks and the use of technology. He is also a Visiting Professor of Human Trafficking at the faculty of Law of the University of Pécs in Hungary and a committee member on the Dutch Victims of Serious Crimes Compensation Fund. Jorn initiated the establishment of six Human Trafficking research centers at different Universities across Europa and aims to bridge the gap between education, research and policing and fostering partnerships through cooperation. He is also one of the founders of the non-profit Reshape foundation which runs the Escapetruck, a preventive tool deployed against human trafficking. He is currently working on the topic of online and cyber enhanced victimization through forced criminality and sexual exploitation within, amongst others, the Com and 764-groups.

Kiara Magr is an Online Fraud Coordinator and Attaché in the (Inter)national Relations and Policy Department. Her professional role brings together expertise in online fraud coordination, international relations, and policy, with a focus on supporting effective cooperation and engagement across relevant stakeholders. In her capacity as an Attaché, Kiara contributes to work at the intersection of policy, international affairs, and institutional collaboration, while her work in online fraud coordination reflects an interest in addressing challenges arising in the digital environment. Her combined responsibilities demonstrate a multidisciplinary professional profile connecting fraud prevention, policy development, international relations, and cross-border cooperation. Kiara’s role reflects the growing importance of coordinated approaches to digital security and international policy in an increasingly interconnected environment.

With over 20 years’ experience of working in UK policing, Jed Stone has performed roles as the Head of ICT and CIO within mainstream policing and managed the delivery programme for the design and development of the UK Counter Terrorism intelligence system used prior to, and throughout, the 2012 Olympics. Jed has led the delivery of national CT intelligence development standards; national intelligence indexing standards; and national CT data review, retention, and disposal standards. He was also instrumental in the design and working methods used within a multi-agency intelligence Siege/Hostage and CBRN intelligence cell. Since leaving the Police and as a director of Issured, Jed has managed the UK’s National Police Chief’s Council’s Digital Intelligence and Investigation (DII) programme and now capitalises on Issured’s collective experience in security and defence to develop innovative new products and services to support Law Enforcement and Victim Support Services.

Élia Faustino is a strategy, innovation, and digital transformation leader with over 20 years of experience supporting complex organisational change across public and private sector institutions. She currently leads the Strategy & Consulting unit at askblue, where she founded and developed a multidisciplinary practice focused on innovation and guided by foresight and future-oriented methodologies.

Throughout her career, she has worked with organisations across Europe and international markets to design innovation strategies, transformation roadmaps, and human-centred services that respond to evolving societal, technological, and economic challenges. Her work focuses on helping institutions strengthen resilience, improve service delivery, and create sustainable value through the integration of (emerging) technology, data, and new ways of working, while fostering collaborative approaches across teams and stakeholder ecosystems. She is particularly interested in the role of responsible innovation and collaborative ecosystems in enabling institutions to deliver greater public value for citizens and communities.

She holds a degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Financial Economics, as well as postgraduate studies in Corporate Finance and Management. She has also completed executive education in Future Thinking and Design Thinking and Creativity for Business, complementing her academic background with continuous learning in innovation, strategy, and digital transformation.

Amir Tavassoli works as the Program Manager for Social & Education at Enliven Empathy, an immersive behavior change and virtual reality platform based in Arnhem, Netherlands. Enliven Empathy is the first company to use Virtual Reality as an empathy machine by placing the user in someone else’s shoes, focusing on social issues such as domestic violence, discrimination, and exclusion, to name a few.

BIO

Thomas Wyns is the Strategic Coordinator of Veilig Huis Limburg, part of the Agency for Justice and Enforcement within the Flemish Government. Since 2022, he has been a member of the coordination team of the Flemish Family Justice Centers, previously serving as Operational Coordinator. In this role, Thomas works closely with prosecutors, police services, and a wide range of social and therapeutic support providers to develop integrated responses to intrafamilial violence. The Safe House model focuses on supporting all individuals involved—victims as well as perpetrators—ensuring a comprehensive, safety driven and restorative approach.

Alongside his work within the Flemish Government, Thomas is also a trained sexologist. His earlier professional experience lies in youth care, particularly in supporting families at risk of out of home placement. This background has shaped his strong commitment to maintaining a holistic, family centred perspective in cases of intrafamilial violence, ensuring that the needs and safety of all family members are taken into account.

Thomas is dedicated to strengthening multidisciplinary cooperation, improving early intervention, and promoting evidence informed practices that enhance safety, accountability, and long term well being for those affected by violence.

Sabrina Reggers is a Belgian professional specialising in the prevention and response to domestic and gender-based violence. She worked for nearly 12 years at Veilig Huis Limburg, where she held roles including Strategic Coordinator. In this position, she contributed to an integrated approach to domestic violence, bringing together social services, police, justice and other professional partners. She later joined the Flemish Agency for Justice and Enforcement as a staff member focusing on gender-based violence, while continuing to contribute to the development of the Veilig Huizen network. She studied at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and has contributed to publications and professional knowledge-sharing on domestic violence, partner violence and multidisciplinary cooperation.

Tammo van Leeuwen is Managing Partner at BPREPARED, a Belgium-based company focused on digital solutions for mass casualty incidents, crisis response and victim support. Based in Antwerp, he works at the intersection of technology, emergency management and public health, with a strong focus on improving how people affected by major incidents are registered, tracked, supported and informed.

Through BPREPARED, Tammo is involved in the development and international deployment of digital tools that help authorities and emergency organisations manage victims, patients, relatives and missing persons during complex incidents. The company’s technology supports registration, identification, localisation, monitoring and information sharing, and its solution is used as Belgium’s national mass casualty management software.

Tammo regularly contributes to discussions on mass casualty management, patient-flow coordination, victim support, civil-military cooperation and the responsible use of technology in crisis situations. His recent work highlights the importance of real-time information and coordinated systems to support both operational decision-making and the needs of affected families.

Steve Randerson is Technical Director at IIZUKA Software Technologies, where he plays a key role in leading the company’s software development and technical direction. With extensive experience in software and technology, Steve is closely involved in coordinating IIZUKA’s development team and working with customers to deliver practical digital solutions.

His work focuses particularly on case management technology and the integration of systems and data across complex organisations. Steve has contributed to IIZUKA’s work with organisations in victim support, policing, domestic abuse and multi-agency services, helping develop technology that improves information sharing, reduces duplication and supports better outcomes. He has also represented IIZUKA in discussions around interoperability within justice and public safety, contributing to conversations on data standards and collaboration between technology providers and public-sector stakeholders.

Beyond his professional role, Steve has demonstrated a strong interest in supporting the next generation of technology talent. He has volunteered as a STEM Ambassador, teaching computer programming to young students and encouraging interest in technology and software development.

Chris Twyman is a technology entrepreneur, marketing and product-strategy leader, and Co-CEO & Founder of RestorativeEU, an organisation focused on advancing restorative justice through technology, innovation and human-centred practice. He has built and led businesses across technology, education, FinTech, HRTech, telecommunications and JusticeTech, combining commercial expertise with a strong focus on social impact.

Chris previously founded BoomWriter, an education-technology company designed to help young people develop writing and communication skills. At RestorativeEU, he works at the intersection of technology, restorative justice and social innovation, supporting the development of digital and AI-enabled tools that can help practitioners work more effectively, improve access to restorative approaches and strengthen relationships within communities.

His work reflects a particular interest in the responsible use of technology and AI, with emphasis on human oversight, ethical safeguards, practical outcomes and accessibility. Chris holds a degree with distinction from Hult International Business School and is the holder of a US patent relating to an internet-based achievement and skills-management process.

Paulo Almeida is CEO of Whale Labs, a Portuguese technology company specialising in IT consulting, AI, software development and digital transformation.

Kim Covent is a police advisor with over 15 years of experience in communication, policy, and accountability within Belgian local law enforcement. As Customer Coordinator at the Ghent Police Department, she handles administrative complaints from citizens against police officers, working at the intersection of victim protection, institutional trust, and professional responsibility. Alongside this work, she trains and advises frontline professionals on behavioural analysis, situational prevention, and risk recognition across sectors including public safety, cultural heritage protection, and critical infrastructure.

Simona is Associate Director and joined Kellen in 2023. She has strong expertise in strategic communications, with experience in all aspects of external and policy communications.

Simona has a BA in Foreign Languages and Communications and an MA in International Relations from Hult Business School plus several certifications on Policy Communication from College of Europe and Marketing from SDA Bocconi.

Her previous experience also includes media analysis, event organization, EU affairs, advertising, media relations and communications campaigns.

Carla Ferreira | Bio
Senior Adviser and Child Protection Specialist for the past 10 years (since 2015). Has large
experience supporting child victims of violence, namely affected by sexual violence,
exploitation and homicide.
She is experienced in roles such as case manager, programme coordinator, interagency
liaison, and training lead, overseeing complex multidisciplinary interventions across
justice, health, and child welfare systems through integrated approaches.
Also, has successfully managed high-risk caseloads, coordinated cross-sectoral response
teams, and developed standard operating procedures, operational guidelines, and training
programmes for national and international stakeholders.
Is also skilled in facilitating participatory processes with NGOs, government agencies, and
community actors, ensuring child-centred approaches are implemented effectively.
Her actions are grounded in international child protection standards, including the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Lanzarote Convention, with extensive
experience translating policy frameworks into practical operational tools. She’s
experienced in monitoring and evaluating programmes, producing reports for senior
management, and advising on policy development and strategic planning.
Also is recognized for clear, structured communication, cross-sector collaboration, and
adaptability in complex and rapidly evolving contexts. Fluent in English, with proven
capacity to operate in international settings, lead multi-country initiatives, and integrate
quickly into new national systems.

Charly Awad, Ph.D. is a French digital transformation professional, web designer, web developer, project manager, and entrepreneur. He founded CGraphika, a Paris-based company specializing in graphic design, web design, and web development. CGraphika traces its origins to his web work beginning in 2005 and was formally launched under the CGraphika name in 2012.

Awad holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Université de Bretagne-Sud, where his research focused on databases, motion-capture data, motion retrieval, and the animation of virtual characters. His academic work includes publications on real-time motion retrieval and French Sign Language synthesis.

Today, his personal website describes him as a “Digital Polymath, Bibliophile, AI Enthusiast,” with work spanning web projects, digital transformation, and AI-related initiatives (https://charlyawad.com/)

Roxana RĂDULESCU is the Adviser to the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Larisa joined VSE in the beginning of 2023 as a volunteer and afterwards became a Project Intern. She first obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law at the University of Zenica. She later decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Security at the University of Maribor. Recently she obtained an Advanced master’s degree in EU Interdisciplinary studies with focus on Migrations, Rights and Policies in the EU, at the Institute of European Studies (ULB). Part of her studies was the internship that she had at Trans European Policy Studies Association.

Larisa volunteered and worked at the then Centre for Legal Assistance for Women in Zenica (now Centre of Women’s Rights), which provides free of charge legal assistance to women in need, among which victims of family violence. She also worked as the Head of the Varaždin office and as a legal advisor to the Victim and Witness Support Service in Croatia, one of VSE’s member organisations.

As Senior project manager at VSE, Antonio De Martin oversees the delivery of the organisation’s projects and manages the development of new proposals. He also coordinates VSE’s work on funding, helping identifying opportunities for the organisation and its members across Europe. Prior to joining VSE in February 2020, Antonio served as project manager in different EU and non-EU institutions, centers of research, NGOs and think tanks where he directed initiatives on the social, political and environmental fields.

Antonio holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Human Rights from the University of Padua, a Master in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Bologna, and a second MSc in Politics of the Middle East from the School of Oriental and African Studies, in London

Carmen Rasquete has dedicated over two decades to ensuring that every victim of crime has access to the support, dignity, and justice they deserve. Since 2013, she has served as Executive Director of APAV - the Portuguese Association for Victim Support - leading the organisation’s strategic planning, human resources, financial management, and the delivery of free, confidential services to victims of crime across Portugal. Her connection to APAV runs deep: she first joined as a volunteer in 2000, a beginning that reflects the values at the heart of everything she does.

Since May 2021, Carmen has also served as Treasurer of Victim Support Europe (VSE) - the leading European umbrella organisation advocating on behalf of all victims of crime, no matter what the crime, no matter who the victim. VSE represents 80 national member organisations that support more than 3 million people affected by crime each year across 35 countries. In this role, Carmen contributes to the financial resilience and strategic direction of a movement that touches millions of lives.

Carmen holds a degree in Sociology and a postgraduate qualification in Economics and Public Policies from ISCTE, bringing a rare blend of sociological insight and policy expertise to her work. A skilled multilingual communicator, she is a passionate and determined force in the European victim rights movement, equally at home in a policy chamber or on a conference stage.