from the perpetrators or unease with the attention that investigation may bring on themselves, their families and their community. Lastly, national minorities’ lack of representation in law-enforcement agencies and the judiciary can be a strong disincentive against approaching the judicial system (see Recommendation 5), not least because of the language barriers it can create and the lack of sensitivity to cultural diversity it fosters. The judicial system should treat minority victims in a way that empowers them and facilitates their access to justice. By doing so, the State demonstrates its commitment to the rule of law and to individual rights without discrimination. This, in turn, will contribute to the integration of society and to conflict prevention. The police service is often the first State institution that victims of crime visit (although some victims may choose to contact the police through a State-sponsored free help line, where available). At the moment they report a crime, victims may be emotionally distressed, physically unwell, unsure about what course to follow and in need of immediate assistance. In addition to initiating a criminal investigation, law-enforcement agencies should assess the needs of the victim and identify the protection measures required.47 They should also provide immediate support and direct minority victims to other relevant institutions, including civil society organizations, particularly those specialized in assisting persons belonging to national minorities. Services should be provided indiscriminately to minority victims in the immediate aftermath of a crime and for the duration of proceedings (and perhaps beyond, if warranted), and could include medical care, psychological counselling, material support, social care and legal assistance. The Recommendations on Policing point out that “it is essential that police perform these immediate victim support tasks effectively, both for the safety of the victim and to maintain the victim’s confidence in the police. Police need to maintain this confidence so that victims will be willing to provide information for the investigation of their case, and also be willing to testify in court.”48 As they may be providing testimony, law-enforcement agencies may also need to offer protection to minority victims. Protection is also required when there is a threat to their safety due to them coming forward to report a crime. In this context, States should adopt clear standards regulating the disclosure to a third party of information received from or relating to a victim. 47 48 See EU (2012) Directive 2012/29/EU on establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA. HCNM (2006) Recommendations on Policing, explanatory note to Recommendation 20. The Graz Recommendations on Access to Justice and National Minorities 31