Speaking your language

Media statement

20 June 2024

Speaking your language - 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

Contact: commissioner@victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au