Rights for people affected by crime - fact sheet

The Crime
The Crime
- The effects of crime
  The effects of crime
  
  This page explains some of the emotional and physical effects of experiencing a crime, and how to get support.
- Get help
  Get help
  
  The Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Helpline offers information, advice and support for you and your family.
- Types of crime
  Types of crime
  
  There are many different types of crime. This website focuses on crimes against the person, such as violent attacks, robberies, family violence and sexual assault.
- Reasons to report a crime
  Reasons to report a crime
  
  You may be worried about telling someone what happened, but there are good reasons for making a police report.
- How to report a crime
  How to report a crime
  
  There are a number of ways to report a crime. If you feel uncomfortable, ask a friend or family member to be with you for support or contact the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817 to talk about your options.
- Keeping safe
  Keeping safe
  
  As a victim of crime, your safety is important and there are things that can be done to help improve it.
- Service standards you can expect
  Service standards you can expect
  
  You can expect to be treated with courtesy, respect and dignity by the police, the Office of Public Prosecutions and victim support services at all times.
- Words and meanings
  Words and meanings
  
  This page explains some of the common words used in the criminal justice system.
Police Investigation
Police Investigation
- The investigation
  The investigation
  
  After a crime is reported to police, there is a police investigation.
- Making a statement
  Making a statement
  
  If you are the victim or witness of a crime, the police will ask you to make a detailed statement about what happened.
- Collecting evidence
  Collecting evidence
  
  The police collect all the evidence they will need to take to court.
- Getting information about the investigation
  Getting information about the investigation
  
  The law in Victoria says that the police must keep you informed about how the investigation of your case is going.
Charges Laid
Charges Laid
- Types of offences
  Types of offences
  
  Criminal offences in Victoria are divided into two types - summary offences and indictable offences.
- Laying charges
  Laying charges
  
  If the alleged offender is charged, the case will go to court.
- Bail
  Bail
  
  If you're worried that the accused person may threaten or harm you or your family if they are released on bail, talk to the police investigator as soon as possible.
- Alternatives to court
  Alternatives to court
  
  There can be different reasons why a case doesn’t go to court.
Going to Court
Going to Court
- Getting information about your court case
  Getting information about your court case
  
  You can follow the progress of a case by contacting the police, or by contacting the court directly.
- Summons and subpoenas
  Summons and subpoenas
  
  As a victim of crime, you may be called upon to be a witness in court.
- Types of courts
  Types of courts
  
  The court the case will go to depends on the type of crime that was committed and the age of the accused person.
- Getting ready for court
  Getting ready for court
  
  If the case goes to court and you are required as a witness, you need to get ready for court.
- Giving evidence
  Giving evidence
  
  What to do when you have to give evidence at court.
- Victim Impact Statements
  Victim Impact Statements
  
  Your Victim Impact Statement is one of the things the judge or magistrate thinks about when they decide what penalty to give the offender.
- The court's decision
  The court's decision
  
  If the accused person pleads guilty or is found guilty at court, the judge or magistrate must think about what penalty should be given.
- Compensation and financial assistance
  Compensation and financial assistance
  
  If your financial situation has changed because of a crime, you may be entitled to financial assistance to help with the expenses you have.
- Child Witness Service
  Child Witness Service
  
  A specialist service that provides court education and support for children who give evidence at court.
- Compensation from the offender
  Compensation from the offender
  
  If the accused person is found guilty of the crime committed against you, you may be able to claim compensation from them.
After Court
After Court
- Appeals
  Appeals
  
  The offender may make an appeal against being found guilty or against the penalty.
- The Victims Register
  The Victims Register
  
  The Victims Register can give you information about the offender who was sent to prison for a violent crime.

This fact sheet explains what the Victims' Charter Act 2006 means for the rights of people affected by crime, and how they can expect to be treated as the case goes through the justice system.

It also has information about the Victims' Charter Enquiries and Complaints Line if they believe the Victims' Charter has not been followed in their case.

These link(s) will open in a new browser window.

Author

Victims Support Agency

Publisher

Department of Justice & Regulation

State of Victoria, 2015

Date of Publication

May 2015

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Rights for people affected by crime - fact sheet

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The Crime

Police Investigation

Charges Laid

Going to Court

After Court

Rights for people affected by crime - fact sheet

More information

Popular pages

Other languages