Launch of online survey

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Media statement

14 December 2023

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.