The effectiveness of prosecutors’ activities in supporting victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings

The article provides a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of prosecutorial authorities in the field of support for victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings. It substantiates that victims and witnesses are important participants in the criminal process who play a key role in the formation of the evidentiary base, while the level of support provided by the prosecution to these categories of persons directly affects the objectivity and effectiveness of pre-trial investigation and judicial review, as well as the formation of public trust in state authorities in general. The study analyzes contemporary scholarly approaches to understanding the concept of the “effectiveness of prosecutorial activity” as a measure of achieving the legally defined tasks of the prosecutor in the most rational manner, taking into account the principles governing the activities of prosecutorial authorities and ensuring a balance of interests of all participants in the process. Particular attention is paid to the role of the prosecutor as the central subject of the system for protecting the rights of victims and witnesses at all stages of criminal proceedings, in the context of the prosecutor’s powers to maintain public prosecution and exercise procedural guidance over pre-trial investigation. Considerable attention is devoted to the analysis of the regulatory and legal framework for supporting victims and witnesses, in particular the provisions of the Order of the Prosecutor General, which establishes criteria for assessing the effectiveness of prosecutorial activities in this area, including the timeliness of support, the completeness of support, and the effective participation of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings. In the context of the ongoing armed conflict, the article highlights the urgent need to improve mechanisms for individual risk assessment, the application of security measures, and the provision of comprehensive assistance to victims and witnesses, especially those belonging to vulnerable groups. The study identifies problematic aspects of the practical implementation of prosecutorial powers, including an insufficient level of interagency cooperation with other institutions and the need for systematic professional training of prosecutors in accordance with European standards. A set of recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of prosecutorial authorities in supporting victims and witnesses is proposed, covering organizational and managerial, regulatory, and human resource measures, as well as the development of cooperation with other relevant structures.