A victim's pathway

Introduction

This information has been written for people who have experienced a property crime. It is also for people supporting someone who has experienced a property crime. This may be a family, friend or a support service.

The term “property crime” is used here to describe a crime where your property was stolen or damaged, or where someone attempted to do this.

Tip: Click on a bold word to find out more about what the word means.

Property crime can include:

• breaking into or attempting to break into your house, business or motor vehicle
• stealing or attempting to steal your personal items such as jewellery, clothing, money, phones, computer equipment or motor vehicles
• damaging or attempting to damage your property such as vandalising it or setting it on fire.

Property crime can occur with or without violence. Violence means physical violence as well as threats of violence.

Property offences that occur with violence might be:

• robberies
• home invasions, enter premises with intent, burglary or car-jackings where violence or threats were involved or there was direct contact with the victim during the property offence
• stealing from the person
• domestic and family violence.

Victim rights in property crime

If there was violence, or the property crime was domestic or family violence, you have rights under the Charter of Victims’ Rights.

Both adults and children can be victims of property crime.

Law in property crime

People who commit property crime include adults (aged 18+) and children and young people (aged 10 to 17). Different laws apply to each group. Children and young people are also treated differently to adults by the criminal justice system.

At the time the crime is committed, a victim may not know who committed the offence or the age of the offender.

Pathways for victims of property crime

We acknowledge that this may be a difficult time for you. Experiencing property crime may have caused you to feel scared, upset and unsure of what to do next. It is important to know about your options that can help you recover emotionally and financially, including:

• how to report the crime
• what may happen after you report the crime (if you choose to report it)
• how to recover or replace stolen items
• support services available to assist you
• rights you have when engaging with support services and criminal justice agencies .

This information is not legal advice and it is not meant to replace the support, information or legal advice that you might receive from agencies involved in your case.

This information is general in nature and may not represent your exact experience. It is designed to help you understand how to report a crime, the criminal justice processes and any available support services from the time of the crime.

Using this resource

This website has a Quick Exit button which you can use at any time if you need to leave the site quickly.

On each page, there is a side tray which provides information about your rights and support.

You can use this product with a support person or with someone that you trust, who can help you read through it. You can also listen to our podcast with or without reading the information on this site.

At the end of your choice of pathway, you have the option to print or save your pathway as a PDF. This option is not available on Android mobile phones – we are working to resolve this.