Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996

Project Status:

Tabled in parliament

Start Date:

22/12/2016

Tabled in Parliament Date:

19/09/2018

Reference

Victims of crime often need assistance. They can be physically, mentally and financially vulnerable. Recovery can be a long, difficult process. The purpose of the Victims of Crimes Assistance Act (1996) was to give financial assistance to victims of crime to rebuild their lives and recover. Following the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Attorney-General asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to review state-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence.

Later, in July 2017, the terms of reference were broadened to include reviewing the general effectiveness of the Act and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) for all victims of crime.

In June 2017 the Commission produced a consultation paper focussing on family violence that posed 66 questions for consideration and asked for submissions.

In August 2017, when the terms of reference were broadened, a supplementary consultation paper was released, now referring to all victims of crime. It included 55 more questions for consideration.

The Commission consulted widely with individuals and organisations with experience with the VOCAT process, including victim/survivor individuals, groups and advocacy organisations, representatives of the courts and judiciary, private and specialist legal practitioners, community centres and groups, academics, and state-funded financial agencies. We received 66 submissions.

Tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 19 September 2018, our report contained 100 detailed recommendations and proposed important changes to the way the government assists victims of crime.

The Commission recommended a new state-funded financial assistance scheme, led by an independent and dedicated decision-maker whose powers and functions are prescribed in legislation.

Further, the Commission recommended that the functions of Victoria’s Victims of Crime Commissioner be expanded to include the functions and powers necessary to administer the new scheme.

To find out which of our recommendations have become law, visit the Implementation page.

All published material and submissions are available below.

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Project Stage

  • Terms of reference received
  • Submissions and consultations
  • Submissions closed
  • Final Report
  • Tabled in parliament

Publications

Publication Date

19/09/2018

The Attorney-General asked the Commission to review the provision of state-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 (Vic). The Commission was asked, in particular, to consider specified matters raised by Recommendation 106 of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. Tabled in… Read More
Publication Date

19/09/2018

The Attorney-General asked the Commission to review the provision of state-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 (Vic). The Commission was asked, in particular, to consider specified matters raised by Recommendation 106 of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. Tabled in… Read more
Publication Date

19/09/2018

The Attorney-General asked the Commission to review the provision of state-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 (Vic). The Commission was asked, in particular, to consider specified matters raised by Recommendation 106 of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. Tabled in… Read more
Publication Date

21/12/2017

The Commission received the following submissions. Read more
Publication Date

19/06/2017

This was the first of two consultation papers for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. This paper focussed on family violence.
Publication Date

19/06/2017

This was the first of two consultation papers for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. This paper focussed on family violence. Read More
Publication Date

19/06/2017

This was the first of two consultation papers for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. This paper focussed on family violence. Read More
Publication Date

28/08/2017

This was the second consultation paper for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. Here the VLRC considers the operation and effectiveness of the Act and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) for all victims of crime.
Publication Date

28/08/2017

This was the second consultation paper for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. Here the VLRC considers the operation and effectiveness of the Act and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) for all victims of crime. Read more
Publication Date

28/08/2017

This was the second consultation paper for the VLRC’s review of the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. Here the VLRC considers the operation and effectiveness of the Act and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) for all victims of crime. Read More

Publication Date

Publication Date

07/07/2017

The Victorian Law Reform Commission is asked to review and report by 31 January 2018 on the provision of State-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996. Read More