Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996: Report

Published on September 19, 2018

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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. In 2017 the Attorney-General asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to review state-funded financial assistance to victims of family violence. Later the review was expanded to include assistance for all victims of crime.

The Commission consulted widely with individuals and organisations. We received 66 submissions.

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

Contents

Terms of reference

Executive summary

Recommendations

1. Introduction

2. Concurrent reviews and reforms relevant to victims of crime

3. The history and purpose of state-funded financial assistance for victims of crime

4. Victoria’s existing victims of crime financial assistance scheme

5. Issues with Victoria’s existing victims of crime financial assistance scheme

6. The role of an alleged perpetrator in state-funded financial assistance for victims of crime

7. Assessment of victims’ needs and Victoria’s existing victims of crime financial assistance scheme

8. Models of state-funded financial assistance for victims of crime

9. The decision maker in the proposed victims of crime financial assistance scheme

10. Key components of the proposed victims of crime financial assistance scheme

11. The purpose, objectives and principles of the proposed Act for victims of crime financial assistance

12. Eligibility for assistance under the proposed Act for victims of crime financial assistance

13. Assistance available under the proposed Act for victims of crime financial assistance

14. Making an application under the proposed Act for victims of crime financial assistance

15. Decision making under the proposed Act for victims of crime financial assistance

16. Interaction with other schemes and refund of awards

17. Improving awareness and accessibility of the proposed victims of crime financial assistance scheme

18. Costs and sustainability of the proposed victims of crime financial assistance scheme

19. Monitoring the operation of the proposed Act and scheme for victims of crime financial assistance to ensure best practice

Appendix A: Submissions

Appendix B: Consultations

Appendix C: Summary of recommendations relating to family violence

Appendix D: First and supplementary terms of reference—summary of matters considered in the report