The state government has announced a new financial scheme aimed at supporting victims of crime outside of courts.
The new Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) provides financial assistance to victims of crime and replaces the courts-based Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.
The online scheme can be accessed in the privacy of someone’s home and aims to help minimise further trauma to victims, as they no longer need to attend court or face their perpetrators.
According to the state, it worked closely with victims of crime to ensure the new scheme is trauma-informed and victim-centred.
Victims of crime will now be able to receive up to $60,000, with some eligible for up to an additional $25,000 in certain circumstances.
Applicants will also be able to elect to receive a recognition statement from the state – acknowledging the effects of the crime and expressing condolences.
The reform also removes the practice of pooling financial assistance for families and will instead give assistance individually to each family member.
The state said that this will significantly reduce potential conflict between family members and allow them to apply for assistance in their own timeframe and in accordance with their own needs.
Victim Support Minister Enver Erdogan said that the scheme is “easy to access and straightforward.”
“From today, we are giving victims a clearer path forward – helping them to move on with their lives,” Ms Erdogan said.
Application timeframes have also been extended from two years to three years, or for sexual offences or family violence cases to 10 years – giving victims more time to assess their needs.
The FAS will expand eligibility around who is considered family to recognise Aboriginal kinship relations, LGBTQI+ relationships and other family members that an applicant may consider to be close family, for example a sister-in-law.
There is support available to victims when applying for FAS and victims will also be able to authorise someone to apply on their behalf.
Details: victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
