No. 55

Funding to boost services for victims of crime

The ACT Government will provide more than half a million dollars towards assisting victims of crime in the ACT as part of an initiative in the 2007‑08 Budget.

Attorney-General Simon Corbell today announced the additional funding for victims of crime.

“Many victims, particularly victims of physical and sexual violence, are traumatised by the crime, and the additional funding will provide for reduced waiting time for access to counselling,” he said.

“Crime can damage people in many ways, and affects families, carers, neighbours and work colleagues.  A more coordinated approach, where contact with victims is established sooner, can reduce the impact of this damage.

“Services for victims of crime are a high priority of the ACT Government and we want to make it easier for victims of crime to access services, information and support.  The new funding will allow greater collaboration between government and other victim assistance providers in the community to ensure that victims’ needs come first.

“When times are tough for victims and their families, services need to work together to restore peoples’ dignity and their connections with their community.”

Mr Corbell said the ACT’s statutory advocate for victims, the Victims of Crime Coordinator, will oversee and manage the Victims Services Scheme, which will bring counselling services and the justice process together.

“We need to ensure that victim contact with the system is a positive and supportive experience – not one that will traumatise them further.  This initiative will allow the delivery of services to victims to have a higher degree of case planning, management, coordination and training focussed on victim needs and support,” he said.

“The funding demonstrates this Government’s commitment to improving services to victims of crime and strengthening victim reform in the ACT.”

The funding will be provided through the introduction of a $10 victims’ services fee on all traffic infringement and court imposed fines.  The fee will not apply to parking infringement notices.  This will result in an estimated extra $531,000 being allocated to directly assist victims of crime in 2007‑08.