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On 14 June 2006, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation Rec(2006)8 on assistance to crime victims. Point 13 of the appendix to this recommendation refers to mediation. It mentions that: “13.1. Taking into account the potential benefits of mediation for victims, statutory agencies should, when dealing with victims, consider, where appropriate and available, the possibilities offered for mediation between the victim and the offender, in conformity with the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation R (99) 19 on mediation in criminal matters. 13.2. The interests of victims should be fully and carefully considered when deciding upon and during a mediation process. Due consideration should be given not only to the potential benefits but also to the potential risks for the victim. 13.3. Where mediation is envisaged, states should support the adoption of clear standards to protect the interests of victims. These should include the ability of the parties to give free consent, issues of confidentiality, access to independent advice, the possibility to withdraw from the process at any stage and the competence of mediators”.