From Policy to Practice: Integrating Trauma-Informed Victim Support in India’s BNSS Era

India’s adoption of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (BNSS) 2023 marks a key paradigm shift from a historically offender-focused criminal justice system to one that centers survivors’ needs. Despite progress, pre-BNSS victim support under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Penal Code (IPC) has struggled to adequately address victims’ psychological, legal, and practical needs. This study reviews victim support evolution in India and evaluates the Paramarsh model—an advanced pilot integrating trauma-informed care, legal aid, and psychosocial support through police-embedded Victim Support Units. Using a systematic review of statutes, research, policy, and pilot data, this analysis assesses Paramarsh’s design, implementation, and potential scale-up within the BNSS framework. Pilot results show a 70% reduction in issue-resolution time and 80% victim satisfaction, demonstrating significant improvements in efficiency and survivor experience. Findings highlight the urgent need to institutionalize trauma-informed protocols, standardize police collaboration, and align legacy CrPC/IPC provisions with BNSS mandates. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for national adoption of this replicable, rights-based victim support model aligning with India’s evolving justice landscape.