Since then this landmark document has served as the basis for victim services reform at national and local levels throughout the world. In June 1999, IVW was launched as a resource for all those interested in improving justice for victims of crime and abuse of power. In April 2000, the United Nations held the Tenth Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Vienna, Austria. Member states in attendance issued a declaration that contains two paragraphs related to victims issues. An expert working group met in January 1999 to consider the feasibility of creating an international fund for victims of crime and abuse of power.
Awareness campaigns on victim rights and crime prevention.
At the Congress, member States took note of the recommendations and tasked the Secretary General of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice with reviewing the recommendations and examining existing mechanisms at the international level to provide assistance to victims of crime and abuse of power. The Secretary General is to report his findings to the Commission at its next meeting in 2001. The United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice will again consider this topic in 2002. An Ad Hoc Committee of the United Nations General Assembly established to create a protocol that promotes and facilitates cooperation among member States to prevent, investigate, and punish international trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, came up with several recommendations. Ensure that victims of trafficking receive appropriate protection in accordance with their best interests, and ensure their safe and voluntary return to their countries of origin, of habitual residence, or to a third country.