More needs to be done to help cybercrime victims across the EU understand their rights and legal protections, MEP Miriam Dalli has said. 

“Victims need to be given access to information about how to make a complaint, how to proceed, what their rights are, how to stand up for their rights in cases where the competent authorities might not live up to their expectations, who to speak to, what to expect and how to make sure that they can proceed against the perpetrator of a crime whilst ensuring that they protect themselves from further damage,” Dr Dalli said. 

The S&D MEP was speaking at a conference about supporting cybercrime victims which was organised by Brussels-based Victim Support Europe. Dr Dalli has been among the European Parliament's key players in pushing for full implementation of a directive combating child sexual abuse online by all member states. 

Dr Dalli urged participants to be mindful of what they posted online. Parents posting photos of their children, for instance, might not realise they were revealing key information which could potentially be used by abusers.

“We lock up our homes every day because that is where we hold our physical possessions. And yet we don’t give our online possessions - our personal data, our financial data the same protection,” she said. 

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