Victims of Crime – For compensation complete the ONLINE ENQUIRY FORM now.
Crime Compensation is a State Government program awarding financial & other assistance to victims of violent crime.
Victims of Crime Compensation & Counselling Services (VOCCS) is a private entity providing referral services to experienced solicitors, psychologists and others to assist and support victims of crime in this process.
Crime Compensation may include the following:
Crime Compensation in Victoria, Australia, in death matters can be up to a total of $100,000.00.
Crime Compensation to a primary victim of crime can be up to a total of $70,000.00.
Crime Compensation to a secondary & related victim of crime can be up to a total of $60,000.00.
Compensation to victims of crime may include reasonable expenses such as:
- payment of any loss of wages or income up to $20,000.00
- medical, hospital and ambulance expenses
- dental expenses and other such treatment expenses
- physiotherapy, chiropractic, optometry and other similar expenses
- surgical and related expenses, including plastic surgery
- psychology and psychiatry counselling expenses
- damage to clothing expenses
- security related expenses
- as well as any other relevant out of pocket expenses
- to a total of $60,000.00
Special Financial Assistance
A cash payment of up to $10,000.00
Victims of crime may also be entitled to a cash payment of up to $10,000.00 called Special Financial Assistance for pain and suffering based on the nature of the crime and injuries sustained. This payment is meant as a tangible expression of the community’s sympathy and concern for victims of crime with the maximum amount available being $10,000.00.
Other Assistance
Victims of crime may also be entitled in exceptional circumstances to whatever else will assist the victim to recover from the effects of the crime, such as improved home security, self-defence lessons, vocational training, academic tutoring, relocation costs, gym membership, rehabilitative treatment or a holiday. The experienced psychologists will be able to make recommendations for such on your behalf of victims of crime when appropriate in order to aid recovery. You should also discuss such other assistance with your solicitor.
Crime Compensation awards may take into consideration the victim’s level of cooperation with police, any conduct by the victim that contributed to the crime and the victim’s criminal history.
Workcover & Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
If you have been the victim of crime at work, such as an armed robbery, aggravated robbery, physical assault, sexual assault or similar crime you may also be entitled to make a Crime Compensation claim as well as a Workcover claim. Even if you choose not to make a Workcover claim you may still be entitled to make a Crime Compensation Claim and receive financial compensation called Special Financial Assistance for pain and suffering up to a maximum of $10,000.00.
Also, if you have been the victim of dangerous or culpable driving you may be entitled to make a Crime Compensation claim as well as a TAC claim. In instances of culpable driving where the victim is deceased the family may be entitled to make a claim for financial compensation up to $100,000.00.
Such matters should be discussed with your solicitor.
Workcover Agents in Victoria include: Allianz Australia Workers’ Compensation (Victoria) Ltd, Cambridge Integrated Services Victoria Pty Ltd, CGU Workers Compensation (Vic) Ltd, GIO Workers’ Compensation (Victoria) Ltd, JLT Workers Compensation Services Pty Ltd, QBE Workers Compensation (VIC) Ltd and Wyatt Gallagher Bassett Workers Compensation Vic. Pty Ltd.
Go to: Workcover Compensation
Go to: TAC Compensation
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are support programs offered by employers to help their staff deal with problems that might adversely impact upon them, such as traumatic experiences including armed or violent robbery and physical or sexual assaults either in the workplace or elsewhere. Where a crime has been committed against a person contact Victims of Crime Counselling and Compensation Services (VOCCS).
For Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) following an armed robbery or similar crime contact us for assistance.
Recommended EAP Providers:
employeeassistanceprogramme.com.au
Other States in Australia
If you have been the victim of crime in another state other than Victoria, such as South Australia, you may also be entitled to assistance so kindly complete our online enquiry form for further information as Crime Compensation is state specific.
Other forms of compensation:
Victims of crime may also be able to access compensation through the Sentencing Act as well as through Common Law.
Under the Sentencing Act once the offender is found guilty the victim may be eligible to seek compensation from the offender within twelve months of the conviction. You should contact the police officer in charge of your case or the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) and advise them that you wish to make such a claim.
A victim of crime may also seek compensation through Common Law and has six years from the time of injury to lodge such a claim. It is advisable that legal advice should be sought before going ahead with civil action.
Also, if a victim of crime is dissatisfied with a VOCAT decision they may appeal at VCAT. The Department of Police Prosecution, VCAT as well as community lawyers may be able to assist and advise you in these processes.
Property Theft, Crimes Against Property & Fraud
Please note that Crime Compensation does not cover property theft or fraud, such as the theft of an unattended motor vehicle or unattended property or identity fraud, and only addresses violent crimes against people, such as physical or sexual assault, rape, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, domestic violence, child abuse, threats to kill, stalking and so on.
* Criminal Injuries Compensation – Financial Assistance
The amount of assistance victims are entitled to depends on the particular circumstances of the crime, the injury and whether one is a primary, secondary or related victim. A primary victim is a person who is injured or dies as a direct result of a violent act. A secondary victim is someone who is injured, as a result of being present at and witnessing a violent act; or is the parent or guardian of a child who has been the primary victim of a violent crime. A related victim is a person who at the time of an act of violence was a close family member of, a dependent of, or had an intimate personal relationship with, a primary victim who has died as a result of the act. The maximum total financial assistance awarded by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) is $60,000 to a primary victim, and $50,000 to a secondary or related victim. The maximum cumulative amount available to all related victims, in respect of one death, is $100,000.00. The amount of Special Financial Assistance awarded ranges from $130.00 to $10,000.00. Where the victim sustains an injury, special financial assistance is payable over and above the $60,000 limit for counselling, medical and other expenses. The maximum assistance therefore to a primary victim is $70,000.00. Further clarification refer to the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996.
Reporting Crime
Go to: helpsolvemycrime.com.au
Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs – Rehab:
Go to: http://drugrehabilitationservices.com.au/
“Supporting the rights of victims of crime in Melbourne Victoria”
www.victimsofcrime.com.au
email: support@victimsofcrime.com.au
Victims of Crime