Help for Victims of Crime
Witness Assistance Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
The Witness Assistance Service within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions provides a service to ensure all victims of major indictable crime and their immediate family have access to information and support services and are aware of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with the criminal justice system.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Statement of Prosecution Policy and Guidelines.pdf requires victims and witnesses under the age of 18 to be referred to the Witness Assistance Service for support.
For more information visit www.dpp.sa.gov.au/02/was.php?s=02.
Commissioner for Victims' Rights
The Commissioner for Victims' Rights;
- Reports annually through the Attorney-General to the Parliament.
- Undertakes tasks assigned by the Attorney-General, which are consistent with the objectives of the Victims of Crime Act 2001.
- Is entirely independent of direction or control by the Crown or a Government Minister.
- Is an ex-officio member of the Victims of Crime Ministerial Advisory Committee.
- Advises the Attorney-General on how to use available government resources to effectively and efficiently help victims of crime.
- Makes recommendations to the Attorney-General on matters arising from the performance of these functions.
- Monitors compliance with the Declaration of Principles Governing Treatment of Victims in the Criminal Justice System.
- Consults with the Director of Public Prosecutions in the interests of victims and in particular cases about matters including victim impact statements and charge bargains.
- Consults with the judiciary about court practices and procedures and their effects on victims.
- Monitors the effect of the law on victims and victims' families.
The Commissioner also has the authority to appear in person, or through legal counsel, before a sentencing court to make a victim impact statement and before a court hearing, a sentencing guideline application.
A public official or agency must, if requested by the Commissioner, consult with the Commissioner on steps that might be taken by the official or agency to advance the interests of victims of crime in general or a particular victim or class of victim.
If, after consultation with a public official or agency, the Commissioner is satisfied that the official or agency has not complied with the Declaration of Principles Governing Treatment of Victims in circumstances where such compliance would have been reasonable and has not apologised or otherwise dealt with the victim in a satisfactory way, the Commissioner may, in writing, recommend that the official or agency make a written apology to the victim.
The Commissioner for Victims' Rights South Australia website contains a statement of the rights of victims. Family, friends and carers will have different reactions and different support and information needs. Some of the information they need may be found in this website, or through some of the services listed in the Who Can Help section of the site.
Compensation
Victims may be able to claim compensation for injuries or financial losses that arise from the injuries. This compensation could come from a number of sources.
A child victim of crime may apply for compensation like any other victim of crime who has suffered an injury.
It is important for the victim to keep all of the police reports and medical reports and any receipts for expenses that result from the injury. It is also important that the victim reports the offence in a reasonable time, provides the police with any information they need so that they can investigate the crime or prosecute the offender, and cooperate as much as they can with the investigation and prosecution.
Each of the types of compensation has its own application process. The compensation that may be paid by one source may reduce any compensation payable by another source.
For more information download the Victims of Crime booklet www.voc.sa.gov.au/Publications/Booklet/booklet.asp.
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