The European Day for Victims of Crime is observed worldwide every February 22. Established in 1990 by Victim Support Europe, this day aims to empower victims of crime, educate them on their rights, and encourage them to report crimes, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as victims of racist and xenophobic hate crimes, gender-based violence, and child sexual abuse. Events are held by various European organizations dedicated to crime victims' rights, including Victim Support Europe and the European Forum of Restorative Justice. On this day, Poland also observes its own Crime Victims Day, a statutory holiday that marks the beginning of the annual Crime Victims Aid Week. The European Union has set forth specific rights for crime victims, established by the Victims’ Rights Directive, which member states are required to implement into their national laws.