There has been a tremendous shift in community expectations about how victims of crime should be treated. This is largely due to the courage and advocacy of victims who are saying ‘let us speak’ about our experiences and listen to what we need to try and heal from the impacts of crime.
When I speak with victims, they often express concern about not being heard or consulted. Victims tell me they feel distress from being subjected to lengthy and confusing criminal justice processes, and they feel let down by service supports that don’t always travel the course with them through the justice system and beyond. They also raise concerns about the harm experienced by family members and loved ones who support victims in the aftermath of crime, as well as the impact of crime on communities.
As the Minister for Victim Support, I am listening to their voices. I know more can, and must, be done. I want victims to feel recognised and heard. Victims deserve to receive appropriate support from a skilled workforce to help them address the harm caused by crime. We must continue to empower victims to exercise their rights to participate in decisions and processes that affect them. We know that providing the right support at the right time can prevent longer term harm, as well as further victimisation.
That is why the 2021-22 State Budget provided a record investment of $64.5 million over the next four years to provide the essential building blocks to reform the victim support system. We will give victims of crime the support system they deserve – one that reaches out and offers the help they need sooner and keeps victims in sight beyond their initial experience of crime.
This investment will help to build an entirely new trauma-informed and accessible financial assistance scheme for victims of crime. The new Financial Assistance Scheme will replace the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) and be supported by a dedicated legal service for victims of crime seeking financial assistance. While the Financial Assistance Scheme is being established the government is investing nearly $10 million to address the backlog at VOCAT.
The government is also expanding restorative justice options available to victims of crime by introducing the Victim-Centred Restorative Justice Program. In addition, we are committed to enhancing access to victim support services for Aboriginal victims of crime and the LGBTIQA+ community.
We are also developing a whole of Victorian Government 10-year strategy to address sexual violence and harm. This strategy will develop a reform agenda to improve the outcomes and experiences of victim-survivors of sexual violence and harm and prevent sexual offending.
This update helps to show that we are dedicated to providing a victim-centred, accountable, innovative, culturally safe, accessible and inclusive support system.
To victims of crime – thank you for your advocacy and sharing your stories. Your voices really are driving reform. When tragedy occurs, you deserve to feel that your rights and entitlements are upheld by the system. As the Minister for Victim Support, I will continue to listen to you, and I am determined to deliver an improved system.
The Hon Natalie Hutchins MP
Minister for Victim Support
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