Compensation & Counseling Services
If you have been called as a witness in a criminal matter and would like some support while at court there is an organization called Court Network which operates within the courts to assist. Staff members of Court Network are volunteers whose role is to provide support to you as well as information about court processes while you are at court. Court Network can be accessed at www.courtnetwork.com.au.
An Intervention Order is an order that can me made through the magistrates court to protect yourself or your property from someone who is trying to cause you harm. An intevention order is generally given for a period of time and includes restrictions place on the offender.
You can seek an Intervention Order directly from your local Magistrate’s court of contact us for further advice and assistance on Freecall 1800 000 055.
A Victim Impact Statement is a very important document as it allows victims to directly inform the judge or magistrate how they have suffered as a consequence of the criminal act, and the contents of the Victim Impact Statement must be considered by the judge or magistrate when handing down a sentence.
The Victim Impact Statement should include information on physical and pychological injuries as well as financial and property damage, including the consequences of such.
For assistance in completing your Victim Impact Statement kindly contact www.victimsofcrime.com.au on Freecall 1800 000 055.
Victims have the right under the Sentencing Act to seek compensation from the offender. Compensation can include pain and suffering endured by the victim as well as property damage sustained.
For further assistance on matters of crime compensation call us today on Freecall: 1800 000 055.
Victims of Crime can access criminal records of offenders at www.crimenet.com.au. This site contains Australian criminal records on offenders of violent and sexual crimes, as well as paedophiles, together with general information on crime throughout Australia. The aim of this site is to provide information on crime and criminals and therefore making our home a safer place.
Victims can now ask to be placed on a Victims Registrar which enables them to be given information about the offender, such as early release dates. Victims have the right to make submissions about such early release dates, for example, how it may affect the victim, as well as what conditions should be placed on such offenders in such circumstances.
You can be placed on the Victims Registrar if a violent crime has been committed against you, or you are the parent of a victim under the age of eighteen-years, or a family member of someone who has been killed, and the offender is in an adult prison.
Once you have registered you will receive relevant information from the Adult Parole Board. For more information you can email VictimsRegister@justice.vic.gov.au
There is a website at www.lawenforcement.com.au which provides information of law enforement practices throughout Australia. Articles on trauma response protocols relevant to each state, including Victoria, can be accessed. THere is information on road trauma to criminal matters right through to natural disasters. The site is sponsored by www.childsafetyawareness.com