Can asset recovery do more than deprive criminals of illicit profits? Can confiscated assets become instruments for restoring justice and supporting victims? These were the central questions explored during the latest ACE2-EU Virtual Coffee, an online event that brought together legal experts, academics, students, public authorities, and civil society representatives to discuss one of the least explored dimensions of asset recovery: victim compensation.
The event highlighted that while confiscating criminal assets is a cornerstone of the fight against organised crime, ensuring that victims receive timely and effective compensation remains a shared challenge across Europe. Through expert presentations and an interactive discussion, participants examined practical solutions, national experiences, and opportunities for stronger European cooperation.
The first keynote speaker, Alexandra Cristea, Asset Tracing and Asset Management Inspector at the National Agency for the Management of Seized Assets (ANABI), Romania, shared Romania’s experience in developing an integrated asset recovery system that combines effective confiscation with social reinvestment. Drawing on nearly twenty years of experience in public administration, European-funded programmes, and institutional cooperation, she presented the work of ANABI in coordinating projects financed through European funds and the National Crime Prevention Support Mechanism.
Her presentation demonstrated how confiscated criminal assets can be transformed into resources that directly benefit society. Participants learned about Romania’s National Crime Prevention Support Mechanism, through which revenues generated from confiscated assets are reinvested in legal education, crime prevention initiatives, victim support services, and projects implemented by civil society organisations. Concrete examples illustrated how confiscated properties have been converted into educational institutions, social care facilities, and public infrastructure, reinforcing public confidence in the justice system while supporting vulnerable communities.
Alexandra Cristea also highlighted ANABI’s commitment to promoting innovative approaches that transform recovered criminal assets into tangible benefits for victims, communities, and society as a whole, demonstrating how asset recovery can extend well beyond criminal proceedings to generate lasting social impact.
The second keynote speaker, Andreea Maria Voicu, legal expert in gender equality, non-discrimination, and victim protection, focused on the legal framework for victim compensation and the broader support mechanisms available to victims of violent crime. Having worked within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) and coordinated programmes addressing gender-based violence in cooperation with UNICEF Romania and the ADEPT Association, she brought extensive expertise in victim-centred public policies and legal protection.
Her presentation explained Romania’s mechanisms for financial compensation available to victims of serious crimes, including emergency financial assistance and state compensation when offenders are unable to fulfil court-ordered obligations. She emphasised that financial compensation is only one component of an effective support system, which must also include legal assistance, psychological counselling, social services, and close cooperation between institutions and civil society organisations.
Drawing on practical examples, Andreea Voicu also presented the important role played by NGOs in supporting victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and gender-based violence. She highlighted how multidisciplinary cooperation involving lawyers, psychologists, social workers, educators, and healthcare professionals contributes to empowering victims and facilitating their recovery.
An important part of the discussion focused on Romania’s recent legislative developments concerning femicide, presented as an example of how sustained collaboration between researchers, civil society organisations, legal professionals, public institutions, and policymakers can lead to meaningful legal reforms that strengthen the protection of victims and improve access to justice.
The debate that followed reflected participants’ strong interest in the Romanian model and its potential relevance at European level. Discussions explored opportunities for expanding cooperation between public institutions, universities, and international NGOs, as well as the possibility of developing future partnerships under programmes supporting crime prevention, legal education, and victim assistance.