Palaszczuk Government boosts help for crime victims

Victims of violent crime and domestic and family violence in Queensland can expect more financial help and improved support services because of changes to laws taking effect today.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the new Charter of Victims’ Rights provided standards for how victims of crime should be treated when interacting with agencies within the legal process.

“It is written in simple, easy-to-understand language so victims and their families can understand their rights and the obligations on agencies interacting with them,” Mrs D’Ath said.

Mrs D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government’s reforms to the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 reduced the burden on victims trying to get their lives back on track. 

“Our wide-ranging changes will help victims and their families get their lives back on track by simplifying the application process for financial assistance and increasing the maximum amounts for some categories of assistance,” she said. 

The financial assistance scheme now extends to victims of emotional or economic domestic and family violence, as well as physical abuse, in line with recommendations in the Not Now, Not Ever report.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring all victims of domestic and family violence can access financial assistance,” she said. 

“From today, victims of domestic and family violence, including non-physical domestic and family violence such as emotional or economic abuse, will also be able to access financial support to help them recover from the impacts of domestic and family violence.” 

“The charter places the onus on agencies such as the Queensland Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Queensland Corrective Services to proactively provide information to victims without them having to ask, if appropriate and practicable to do so. 

“Agencies will receive proactive help to implement the provisions of the charter from Queensland’s Victim Services Coordinator who can also help victims resolve complaints.” 

“The charter applies to all government agencies and extends to non-government agencies that receive Commonwealth, State or Territory funding to provide support services to victims of crime in Queensland,” she said. 

For more information about the changes, visit www.qld.gov.au/victims

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