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Advocating for victims
A key part of The Commissioners role is to advocate for victims’ rights when government is developing new laws or policies that may impact victims of crime.
Read moreSexual Violence Review Board progress
I’m pleased to share recruitment has started to find members for the Queensland Sexual Violence Review Board.
Read moreNew resources for victim-survivors
We have produced a new online resource and podcast – Victim Pathways – for victim-survivors of sexual violence and people supporting them.
Read moreLegislation commences today
Today (Monday 2 September 2024), key provisions of the Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Act 2024 commences.
Read moreNew translated Charter of Victims' Rights resources
We have released information on the Charter of Victims’ Rights in 7 different languages.
Read moreMedia releases and statements
This morning, the Victims’ Commissioner Beck O'Connor delivered the following statement to the Education, Arts and Communities committee about the Domestic and Family Violence Protection and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025:
The Queensland Government and the Premier through his Charter letters have committed to reducing the numbers of victims of crime, progressing the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce recommendations, and driving systemic reform to prevent and respond to domestic, family, and sexual violence. These are commendable goals and I fully support them as the priority.
However, I am not confident that the Bill reflects these commitments, therefore I do not support this reform as it stands. Significant elements of the Bill, particularly Police Protection Directions (which I will refer to as PPDs) have been developed without publicly available evidence or modelling.
DFV is now a defining part of modern policing. I recognise the significant pressure this places on frontline police officers every day.
I also strongly agree that police need better support, however, the safety of our community must remain the non-negotiable priority.
I am concerned we are about to embark on an experiment, with unintended but not unforeseen harmful consequences to our community which has potential to undermine already waning trust in police and our justice system.
As you are aware, the proposed amendment originates from concerns that DFV causes administrative burden for police.
But we must broaden our understanding of burden.
New data showed that 1 in 3 Australian men admit to having used violence against their partner. 40% of children are exposed to domestic violence. And this violence is the main reason why people need help from homelessness services. ABS data shows that DFV causes over a third of Queensland’s homicides.
The burden created by this violence is not limited to administrative challenges absorbing police time; it is a burden carried daily by victim-survivors, their families, their communities and all of the systems and services that are dealing with its consequences.
What we need are solutions that respond to every aspect of the burden of this crisis, not just one.
Under this Bill, victim-survivors must navigate a more complex and less transparent system, with fewer safeguards and reduced oversight. Those misidentified as the offender will bear the burden of correcting the error—often without access to legal support, all while continuing to face violence, that they may now feel is emboldened by the system.
Misidentification particularly impacts victim-survivors from First Nations communities, from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ people and those with intellectual and other disabilities.
Not for profit and government agencies will be left managing the fallout of premature police decisions, without additional resources. This reform risks shifting the burden—from police to those who are already paying the highest price.
The complexity of the PPD framework meant some stakeholders have relied on diagrams to explain to you how it is meant to operate.
If it takes visual explanation to make sense of the process, we must question how police—already under pressure—are expected to apply it. It remains unclear how this framework would improve police efficiency—or more importantly, how it would protect Queenslanders from harm.
These concerns are not theoretical. Tasmania’s equivalent of PPDs have been issued to women at 3x the rate of family violence orders by courts, along with a doubling of applications to revoke those orders. It is well established that police misidentify victim-survivors as perpetrators, at an unacceptable level in Qld.
The Queensland Government relies on the expertise of lawyers, specialist practitioners, and cultural advisors—to respond to people experiencing violence and, alongside police, as co-responders. Their specialist professional frontline experience makes their warnings impossible to ignore.
Most say this won’t work. Most say it won’t improve safety. So I ask, if we trust them to do that lifesaving work every single day, can we not also trust them on this?
We, Queenslanders, deserve safety. And above all, we all deserve systems that work for us—not against us.
So today, I urge you: listen to the experts. Particularly those who have lived through violence. And most importantly—remember what’s at stake. Because what we choose to prioritise in this legislation will either save lives or place Queenslanders at greater risk.
In relation to recent reports, in The Courier-Mail, of potential bi-partisan support for reforms to the use of good character evidence, I would like to make my position on this matter clear.
Good character evidence includes:
- references about an offender’s good character
- an offender’s standing in the community
- any significant contributions made to the community by the offender.
I acknowledge the recent recommendation on ‘good character evidence’ made by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council in its report, ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐น๐: ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐, but in my independent view, it doesn’t go far enough.
The Council recommended that Courts should ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ be able to consider good character evidence if it impacts upon the offender’s risk of reoffending.
As Victims’ Commissioner, I ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ section 9 of the ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ช๐ฆ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด ๐๐ค๐ต 1992 (Qld) being amended to provide that a court ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ consider any ‘good character’ evidence for offenders ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐๐บ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ.
Victim-survivors continue to share their distress and trauma about the acceptance and reliance of character references, with little to no effort made by anyone to verify the content.
Victim-survivors have said this evidence is an attempt to minimise, or counteract, the hurt caused by an offender.
These limited amendments proposed by QSAC will not resolve these issues. Completely preventing the use of good character evidence is the best way to show victims they are being listened to, and their significant concerns have been addressed.
๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ข’๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ
Victims’ Commissioner
New online resource launched for victims of property crime in Queensland
Queenslanders can now access step-by-step information to help them navigate through an often challenging and confusing time if they have become a victim of property crime.
The new online resource, launched today by Queensland’s Victims’ Commissioner, Beck O’Connor, is called ‘a victim’s pathway’. It is now available on the Office of the Victim’s’ Commissioner’s website – www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.
The new victim’s pathway online resource aims to help victims understand the investigation and court process after experiencing property crime, and what support is available.
The resource has been developed for all victims of property crime, including property crime involving violence. For victims of violent property crime, the victim’s pathway provides information about a victim’s rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights. Violent property crime includes physical violence, threats of violence or if the offence happened during domestic and family violence.
The online resource is fully accessible and can be used across all devices.
Quotes attributable to Victims’ Commissioner, Beck O’Connor
"We have repeatedly heard that victims of crime in Queensland find it difficult to find the right information at the right time in a way that is easy for them to access and understand.”
"Having your home broken into, having your car stolen or any type of property crime is distressing."
“For many people, this experience is the first time they have had interactions with Police or the justice system.”
“If someone is a victim of property crime, my hope is that this resource will help guide their options and choices that are right for them.”
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home.”
“For victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, property crime can be an additional violation of that safety. This resource offers vital information, including links to specialist support services and guidance on securing a protection order, to help individuals rebuild their sense of security.”
“The unfamiliar language and terminology after experiencing a crime can be overwhelming. I hope this new resource helps remove uncertainty by providing information to help victims feel informed and know where to get support if they need it.”
Explainer / fast fact and or further information
Queensland’s first Victims’ Commissioner Beck O’Connor was appointed on 29 July 2024, and will serve in the role for 5 years.
Victims of violent crime have rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights. All government and government-funded agencies that work with victims of violent crime must uphold these rights. Violent crime includes domestic and family violence.
The Charter of Victims’ Rights includes:
- The right to receive information about the crime committed against them like:
- the investigation
- the prosecution and court matters
- bail applications by the accused
- the role of being a witness.
- Where possible, being protected from contact with the accused at court and their supporters.
- The right to have any property taken as evidence returned.
- Being treated with respect, courtesy, compassion, and dignity, with their needs taken
into account. - Having their privacy protected.
- Being given information about support services.
- Being given information about sentencing if the offender is convicted.
- The opportunity to make written submissions to the Parole Board if the offender applies for parole.
The criminal justice process in Queensland includes a number of agencies for example:
Watch: the Charter of Victims’ Rights explained (YouTube).
This is the second victim pathways resource developed by the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner. A victim pathways online resource and podcast for victim survivors of sexual violence was published by the office in September 2024 and is available online.
Visit www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au for more information on the role of the Victims’ Commissioner.
The functions of Queensland’s first Victims’ Commissioner commence today.
From Monday 2 September 2024, Victims’ Commissioner Beck O’Connor, will elevate the voices and concerns of those with lived experiences of crime and promote their rights.
While the Charter of Victims’ Rights has been in existence since 2017, it was perceived by many in the sector to have lacked accountability.
The Victims’ Commissioner now has powers to investigate and resolve complaints received from victims of violent crime if they believe their Charter rights have not been upheld.
The Victims’ Commissioner, with the support of her office, will use the information from complaints to highlight systemic issues in the criminal justice system affecting victims and make recommendations to government.
From today, government agencies will be required to report on Charter of Victims’ Rights complaints made to their agency in their annual report. This change shines a spotlight on the number of Charter complaints being made and how they are being dealt with.
Victims who feel their rights haven’t been upheld can:
- complain directly to the organisation they don’t believe upheld their rights
- complain to the Victims’ Commissioner.
Information on how to make a Charter complaint, give feedback or ask a question about the criminal justice system or the work of the Victims’ Commissioner, can be found at: www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Victims’ Commissioner
Beck O’Connor
“Hear them, see them, help them, - this is my expectation for all of us working with a victim of crime.”
“As I complete my first month in the role, I reflect on the multiple inquiries and reports that have come before me, and the stories I have heard from victim-survivors and their advocates, as well as the people who work in the sector.”
“All have highlighted the information gaps in the system they have experienced and the need for trauma-informed responses to a victim’s needs. I know there is already a large amount of reform happening across the sector in Queensland, and this is positive.”
“However, we need to keep listening, and we need to build and expand on the work done to date.”
“From Monday 2 September, my office will be able to take complaints from victims of violent crime if their rights, under the Charter of Victims’ Rights, have not been upheld.”
“The Charter of Victims’ Rights outlines the rights of victims of violent crime including domestic and family violence. The Charter states that victims must be treated with respect and dignity and have the right to have their personal information protected.”
“A victim, or someone supporting a victim with their permission, can make a complaint to my office, either:
- online through our website
- by phone
- by email
- by post.”
“The new complaints function allows someone’s experiences with the criminal justice system to be captured independently, so that my office can investigate, try to resolve complaints and advocate for systemic reform.”
Explainer / fast fact and or further information
Queensland’s first Victims’ Commissioner Beck O’Connor commenced her five-year appointment on 29 July 2024.
- The rights of victims of violent crime (the Charter of Victims’ Rights) include:
- Receiving information about the crime committed against them like:
- the investigation
- the prosecution and court matters
- bail applications by the accused
- the role of being a witness
- Where possible, being protected from contact with the accused at court and their supporters.
- The right to have any property taken as evidence returned.
- Being treated with respect, courtesy, compassion, and dignity, with their needs taken into account.
- Having their privacy protected.
- Being given information about support services.
- Being given information about sentencing if the offender is convicted.
- The opportunity to make written submissions to the Parole Board if the offender applies for parole.
All government and government-funded agencies that work with victims of violent crime must uphold these rights.
The criminal justice process in Queensland includes a number of agencies for example:
- Queensland Police Service
- Queensland Courts
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Victim Assist Queensland
Watch: the Charter of Victims’ Rights explained (YouTube)
Visit www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au for more information on the role of the Victims’ Commissioner.
ENDS
New translated resources aim to help victims of crime understand their rights
- New translated Charter of Victims’ Rights resources are now available in 7 languages other than English.
- The translated resources have been designed to support victims of violent crime from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to understand their rights in the criminal justice system and when engaging with services.
- Information is now available in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Punjabi, Wik Mungkan and Torres Strait Creole (also known as Yumplatok or Ailan Tok).
The Office of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner has translated the Charter of Victims’ Rights into 7 different languages to help victims of violent crime from culturally and linguistically diverse communities better understand their rights.
For the first time, information on the Charter of Victims’ Rights has been translated into seven different languages – Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Punjabi, Wik Mungkan and Torres Strait Creole (also known as Yumplatok or Ailan Tok). It is also available in Easy English.
These resources are available on the Office of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner website and are being distributed to organisations that work with victims of violent crime.
To date, Jon Rouse APM, the Interim Victims’ Commissioner has engaged directly with over 600 people and heard that there are difficulties in victims being aware of or understanding the Charter of Victims’ Rights.
Queensland victims of violent crime have rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights. All government agencies, and government-funded organisations which provide services to victims of violent crime must uphold these rights.
The Interim Victims’ Commissioner has heard from support agencies that the Charter of Victims’ Rights can be difficult to understand for people who aren’t familiar with the criminal justice system, government processes or have low English literacy levels.
The translated resources are based on the Easy English Charter of Victims’ Rights, which was developed to help victims understand how they should be treated and feel empowered by knowing their rights.
Quotes attributable to Interim Victims’ Commissioner, Jon Rouse APM:
“One of the objectives of our office is to help victims to understand their rights, and make sure information is accessible to everyone.”
“My role is to increase the promotion and awareness of the Charter of Victims’ Rights, so all victims know what to expect from services who support them.”
“These translated resources provide an overview of the rights victims of violent crime have and will hopefully empower them to speak up if their rights aren’t being upheld.”
Explainer/fast fact and or further information
The Interim Victims’ Commissioner was appointed ahead of legislation enabling the appointment of a permanent Queensland Victims’ Commissioner. The Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Act 2024 was passed in April 2024, with commencement on a day to be fixed by proclamation. The Government has committed to appointing a permanent commissioner by the end of June 2024.
Further information about the role of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner: www.victimscomissioner.qld.gov.au
New Easy English resource aims to empower victims of crime understand their rights
- A new Easy English Charter of Victims’ Rights is now available.
- The Easy English Charter of Victims’ Rights has been designed to support victims of violent crime to understand their rights in the criminal justice system and when engaging with support services.
The Office of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner has launched a new resource to help victims of violent crime better understand their rights.
For the first time, the Charter of Victims’ Rights, has been translated into Easy English and is available on the Office of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner website. It has also been distributed to organisations that work with victims of violent crime.
To date, Jon Rouse, the Interim Victim’s Commissioner has engaged directly with over 600 people and heard that there are difficulties in victims being aware of or understanding the Charter of Victims’ Rights.
The Charter of Victims’ Rights can be difficult to understand for people who aren’t familiar with the criminal justice system, government processes or have low literacy levels.
Queensland victims of violent crime have rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights. All government agencies, and government-funded organisations which provide services to victims of violent crime must uphold these rights.
The Easy English Charter of Victims’ Rights has been developed to help victims understand how they should be treated and feel empowered knowing these are their rights.
The information resource has been developed following the establishment of the interim Victims’ Commissioner. The need for an Independent Victims’ Commissioner that promotes and protects the needs and rights of victims was identified by three separate inquiries:
- the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce
- the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Services responses to domestic and family violence
- the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee - Inquiry into support provided to Victims of Crime.
Quotes attributable to Interim Victim’s Commissioner, Jon Rouse APM:
“One of the objectives of our office is to help victims to understand their rights, and make sure information is accessible to everyone.”
“My role is to increase the promotion and awareness of the Charter of Victims’ Rights, so victims know what to expect from services who support them.”
“My view is that the Charter helps underpin the important work of victim support services and justice agencies, ensuring that those who work with victims fully understand their responsibilities.”
“This new Easy English version of the Charter of Victims’ Rights provides an overview of the rights victims of violent crime have and will hopefully empower them to speak up if their rights aren’t being upheld.”
Explainer/fast fact and or further information
The Interim Victims’ Commissioner has been appointed ahead of legislation to enable the appointment of a permanent Queensland Victims’ Commissioner. The Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Bill 2024 was introduced to the Queensland Parliament on 6 March 2024. The Government has committed to appointing a permanent commissioner by the end of June 2024.
Further information about the role of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner: www.victimscomissioner.qld.gov.au
Have you been a victim of violent crime? Has a member of your family or a friend been hurt? The Interim Victims’ Commissioner wants to hear from you.
- Queensland’s Interim Victims’ Commissioner, Jon Rouse APM, has launched an online survey to further increase his engagement with victims of violent crime, and those who work in the sector.
- Open from 14 December 2023, the online survey aims to engage with the broader Queensland community on issues relating to victims’ rights.
- The Office of the Interim Victims’ Commissioner wants to hear from:
- victim-survivors of violent crime (including victim-survivors of threats of violence, sexual violence and domestic and family violence) and their family and friends;
- family and friends of deceased victims; and.
- people who interact with victim-survivors in their work.
- The survey results will build on the office’s work to date, as Mr Rouse has spent the last few months meeting with victim-survivors, people working in the sector, and conducting a series of 8 workshops across the state.
- The survey will continue to collect information from people interacting with victim-survivors, including those working in victim support and in the criminal justice system, to complement the feedback collected from the workshops.
- The survey is completely anonymous and has different questions for victim-survivors of crime and people who interact with victim-survivors of crime.
- The intent is to use the survey results to:
- develop strategies to raise awareness of the rights of victims of violent crime and the services available; and
- identify, develop and provide additional resources for victims
- of violent crime to understand their rights, the criminal justice process and how to access support and assistance.
Quotes attributable to the Interim Victims’ Commissioner, Mr Jon Rouse APM:
“A key focus for myself and my team has been to listen.
“Travelling from the north to the south of the state, I have met over 150 people across 8 locations including:
- Brisbane
- Toowoomba
- Mount Isa
- Townsville
- Cairns
- Gold Coast
- Redlands
- Logan
“The workshops I have hosted to date have been with invited stakeholders, primarily victim support agencies and representatives from the criminal justice system,” said Mr Rouse.
Mr Rouse said that while each location has its own individual challenges and successes, he was hearing some common themes.
“For example, feedback from the workshops has shown:
- That victim-survivors have limited knowledge of their rights and the Charter of Victims’ Rights.
- That people working in the sector have varying degrees of knowledge of the Charter of Victims’ Rights and its application.
- That generally, people working with victim-survivors of crime and/ or in the criminal justice system promoted rights to victim-survivors but not with explicit reference to the Charter of Victims’ Rights.
“I know that our sector is busy, that the work is difficult and often confronting, so I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has spoken with me so far,” said Mr Rouse.
Mr Rouse said it’s now time to broaden his reach across the community.
“Both the government and non-government sector play a critical role in supporting and working with some of our most vulnerable members of the Queensland community,” he said.
“However, it’s also important that we hear directly from people with lived experiences in the criminal justice system to ensure their rights are promoted and their needs are met,” said Mr Rouse.
“If you, or someone you know, is a victim of violent crime please visit our website to complete the survey.
“The information you wish to share on your own experiences will help us promote the rights of victims and provide information to better support future victims. Please keep talking to us, we are listening,” said Mr Rouse.
The online survey can be completed by visiting www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au and is open from Thursday 14 December 2023 until 31 January 2024.
Social media
You can follow the Office of the Victims' Commissioner on LinkedIn.
For media outlets
We acknowledge the important role media outlets play in raising awareness of the rights of victims of crime, including empowering victim-survivors of crime who choose to tell their stories in their own words.
We value the contribution of victim-survivors in sharing their experiences.
If you are a media outlet covering an issue which involves a victim, we respectfully ask that you be mindful of the potential impacts that your media coverage and actions can have on victim-survivors of crime, or family members and friends of deceased victims of crime.
Some events can be especially difficult for victim-survivors of crime, or family members and friends of deceased victims including:
- hearings, trials and sentencing
- significant dates like birthdays or anniversaries.
We ask media outlets to be considered and respectful if:
- requesting comment or interviews
- providing or using information about offenders
- identifying people
- taking photos or videos.
We ask media outlets to:
- carefully consider the language used in reporting to avoid potentially causing further distress
- avoid perpetuating myths or stereotypes around victims, offenders and crimes.
Resources
The Department of Justice has produced resources for media outlets:
- the Sexual Violence Media Guide provides advice for trauma-informed reporting on sexual violence
- the Domestic and Family Violence Media Guide assists with responsible and evidence-based reporting of domestic and family violence incidents.