You can decide to..

report the violence to police and they will investigate it. tell police about what happened so that they can use the information in other ways. not tell police about what happened or report the violence.

Victims' rights

The Charter of Victims’ Rights is a document which outlines the special rights which you have because you are a victim of violent crime.

Government agencies and non-government agencies that receive money from the government must uphold your rights.

You must be treated with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.

You will be informed about support services and options available to you.

Your personal information will not be disclosed unless the law says it must or you say that it is okay.

You can complain if your rights aren’t upheld.

You can read the full Charter of Victims' Rights on our website. Easy-read English and translated versions are also available.
Your rights with police

Police must treat you with respect, courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.

Police will inform you about support services and options available to you.

Police will not disclose your personal information unless the law says it must or you say that it is okay.

You can complain if your rights aren’t upheld.

You can read the full Charter of Victims’ Rights on our website. Easy-read English and translated versions are also available.
Support

You can call the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120

The Sexual Assault Helpline is available to call 7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week.

There are many support services that provide specialist support to victims of sexual violence. You can find more information here.

If you need help or have questions about the Victims Register, you can call the victims register team on 1800 098 098 Monday to Friday, between 8am to 5pm.
Financial assistance

If you are a victim of a violent offence in Queensland, including sexual assault or domestic and family violence, you are eligible for financial assistance from Victim Assist Queensland.

Before applying for financial assistance, you have to report the violence to police, a doctor, counsellor, psychologist or a domestic violence service.

Financial assistance can help you pay for medical or counselling expenses if you have been injured. It can also help you pay for travel to appointments and recover earnings if you were unable to work because of injuries. You may be eligible for special assistance as well.

There are some time limits that usually apply to applications, which Victim Assist Queensland can tell you about. If you are out of time, you can ask for an extension which Victim Assist Queensland can consider.

You can find more information about applying for financial assistance here.
Domestic and family violence

If the person who assaulted you was someone you were in a relationship with, a family member, or someone who is caring for you, you might be experiencing domestic or family violence . Domestic and family violence can also include when someone uses a pattern of abusive behaviours over time that hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten, or threaten you in order to control or dominate them. This is called coercive control.

Support is available for people experiencing domestic and family violence – you can talk to police or a support service.

Police can issue Police Protection Notices (PPNs) or Police Protection Directions (PPDs) when they respond to domestic violence and believe immediate protection is necessary.

PPNs and PPDs offer time-limited protection. PPDs offer protection for 12 months. PPNs offer protection until your case is heard in the Magistrates Court where your application for a domestic violence order will be heard.

Police or support services can help you apply for a domestic violence order. A domestic violence order is usually in place for a longer time.

If you have been issued with a PPD and you think you need longer or greater protection than stated in the PPD you can also apply for a longer order or an order with greater protections. The police or a service such as the Women’s Legal Service Queensland or Caxton Legal Centre can help you.

PPNs, PPDs and domestic violence orders are legal documents. They tell someone not to hurt, threaten, coerce or scare another person they are in a relationship with, or were in a relationship with, or a family member. The order tells someone to follow rules like stay away from another person or not let children see or hear violence.

More information about domestic violence orders is available here.