New easy English resource
Media statement
12 March 2024
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
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