Homicide

If a loved one dies because of a violent crime, you can get assistance and support.

Losing a loved one to crime may be one of the most painful and shocking experiences you can go through. It also means that you may need to deal with the justice process for many years following the crime.

The Victims of Crime Helpline can provide advice and support during this difficult time and connect you with services as you need them. You can use this website to learn more about the justice system in Victoria.

What is homicide?

A homicide occurs when a person is killed unlawfully. It covers situations where it can be proved that an offender intended to kill the person (murder) or where that cannot be proved (manslaughter).

It can also cover situations where a death is caused by culpable driving of a vehicle or workplace negligence.

If someone threatens to kill another person or behaves in a way that makes them think they will harm them, this can also be a crime.

Depending on the circumstances, an offender may be charged with different offences such as:

If physical violence is threatened, the charges can include:

  • threats to kill
  • threats to inflict serious injury.

Free support across Victoria

The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 is available every day from 8am to 11pm to provide advice and support to anyone who has lost a loved one or family member to homicide in Victoria.

The helpline can also help people who are experiencing difficulty and need support after being a witness to a homicide.

When you contact the helpline, a Victims Support Officer can discuss your situation with you and advise on assistance and support services you can access.

The helpline may also be able to organise a support worker from the Victims Assistance Program who can:

  • organise counselling, transport and medical services
  • help you communicate with police
  • assist with managing disruptions to work and study by letting people know what has happened
  • assist with applying for financial assistance
  • provide options for managing your home and personal security, if they have been affected by the crime.

Understanding the traumatic effects of crime

Losing a loved one to violent crime is a frightening and traumatic experience. Witnesses who see someone hurt or killed can also be deeply affected, even if they do not know the victim.

Everyone's response is different, but it can be helpful to understand the common feelings and physical reactions people have and what to expect.

On this website, you can learn more about:

Whether it is just after the crime or you are dealing with ongoing effects on your health and wellbeing, counselling is available. The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 can connect you to services that can help.

Help to understand the justice process

The Victims of Crime Helpline can answer your questions about:

You can learn more about homicide and the justice process below.

Report a violent crime

If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is occurring , please call police on Triple Zero (000). You can also go to a police station to report a crime.

You can also contact your local police station to report non-urgent situations such as:

  • an incident that happened in the past
  • threats of harm where there is no immediate danger.

You can learn more about reporting a crime to police.

Services for counselling and bereavement support

Lifeline

24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Open: 24 hours, every day
Call: 13 11 14
Website: lifeline.org.au

Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

Provides a specialist bereavement service for individuals, children and families who need assistance following the death of someone close to them, including face-to-face counselling and support groups.

Open: 9am5pm Monday to Friday
Call: 1800 642 066
Website: grief.org.au to find out more about bereavement support

GriefLine

Anonymous telephone counselling service providing support to people who are experiencing loss and grief.

Open 6am-midnight, every day
Call 1300 845 745
Website griefline.org.au

The Compassionate Friends Victoria

Supporting parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents after the death of a child at any age.

Open: 24 hours, every day
Call: (03) 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068
Website: compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au

Other services

Coroners Court of Victoria

For information about a coroner’s investigation you can contact the Coroners Court.

Call: 1300 309 519
Website: coronerscourt.vic.gov.au

Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Help service provides free general legal information over the phone and by chat online.

Open: 8am–6pm, every day
Call: 1800 677 402
Website: legalaid.vic.gov.au

WorkSafe Victoria

Victoria’s health and safety regulator and manager of Victoria’s workers compensation scheme (WorkCover). If the death happened while the person was performing work duties, you may be entitled to make a claim.

Open: 7.30am–6.30pm, Monday to Friday
Call: 1800 136 089
Website: worksafe.vic.gov.au

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