NEW VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICE OFF TO A FLYING START

A new State Government service supporting victims of crime committed by those with a mental illness is quickly getting down to business with 100 people already on its register.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today told State Parliament that after only a few months since it began, the Mental Health Victim Support Service had already attended to a large volume of cases.

“For the first time, Queensland has a dedicated service for the exclusive purpose of supporting victims of crime where the perpetrator has a mental illness,” Mr Robertson said.

“Often when an offender is diverted away from the criminal system and into treatment because they are mentally ill, their victims may quite rightly have questions about how their case is being handled by authorities and seek counselling and support to help them through their ordeal.

“That’s what this service is doing and it’s also receiving national recognition.

“In its first two months of operation, it’s already got 100 victims on its register and provided them with appropriate information and support.

“Depending on their individual circumstances, some of them will receive ongoing assistance.

“We’re spending $4.6 million to establish and run the service based in Brisbane and Townsville.

“It’s allowing victims to be kept informed about their offender’s status and location and this information is monitored and updated on an electronic register managed by the Director of Mental Health.”

Mr Robertson said victims were now applying for information through Classified Patient Information Orders and Forensic Patient Information Orders.

“Information from the register is being provided to victims directly by victim support coordinators,” he said

“New systems for communication and information sharing have been established between the Director of Mental Health, the Mental Health Review Tribunal, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Mental Health Court and local mental health services.

“One of the immediate outcomes has been a streamlining and coordination of services to victims throughout Queensland.”

Mr Robertson said the Brisbane office had eight staff including four victim support coordinators currently providing information and support to victims throughout Queensland.

“Support can include practical interventions, counselling or referral to more specialist services,” he said.

“The Townsville office is currently being set up with permanent staff expected to commence by the end of June.”

A Cairns office has also recently been established to help visiting Townsville staff manage Far North victims, including those in indigenous communities.

Significant consultation and training has occurred with the police, most notably the effective transfer of information to the victim support service.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland was now a recognised leader in this field attracting interest from interstate.

“Our experiences in setting up this service has seen three interstate conferences accept Queensland Health abstracts relating to victim and forensic mental health issues,” he said.

“The Bligh Government is now striking a better balance between the rights of offenders with a mental illness and their victims.”

The Queensland Health Victim Support Service can assist victims with:

·information and support in understanding and negotiating the forensic mental health system;

·making statements to the Mental health Court and submissions to the Mental Health Review Tribunal;

·information about victims rights;

·making applications for Classified Patient Information Orders and Forensic Patient Information Orders;

·Mental Health Court support;

·counselling and referral to other appropriate services; and

·education, advocacy and training relating to victims issues.

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185