For victims of crime

If you, or a family member or friend have experienced a crime, we acknowledge this may be a stressful time for you.

The role of our office is to promote and protect the rights and needs of victims of crime. We do this by:

• developing and providing information about the Charter of Victims’ Rights, and the broader criminal justice system in Queensland
• receiving Charter of Victims’ Rights complaints, questions or feedback from victims or people who support them, about their experience in the criminal justice system
• conducting research and reviewing systemic issues relating to victims of crime
• making recommendations to government or non-government entities to help victims of crime to be heard and seen, and their needs met.

We are not a support service and cannot case manage your experience through a criminal justice process. This means we:

• are not able to provide crisis support
• cannot help you to report a crime to Police
• cannot investigate an alleged crime
• cannot change the outcome of a Police investigation or a court process
• cannot provide you with legal advice or direct support through a court process.

Getting help to report, cope, recover and heal

There is support   and information available to help victims of crime. If you need help or support that our office cannot provide, victim support services are listed below:

‘Find a support service’ online search tool

You can search for support services using the Queensland Government’s ‘find a support service’ online tool.

Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy is a mobile website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby.

Victim Assist Queensland

Victim Assist Queensland provides:

• financial assistance for people who have been injured or harmed  by violent crime.

Contact Victim Assist Queensland during business hours on 1300 546 587 or use their online form to ask about:

• Free or low-cost counselling and other victim support services in your area.
• How to apply for Financial assistance.

Victim support services

• VictimConnect provide a free and confidential services to all victims, including specialist counselling and case management to help with the practical impacts of violent crime. They are available 24 hours a day. Phone: 1300 318 940.
• DVConnect can help Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family and sexual violence. Assistance includes emergency transport and accommodation, safety planning, crisis counselling, intervention, information and referrals. They are available 24 hours a day. Phone: 1800 737 732.
• The Domestic and Family Violence Portal has information about services supporting people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV).
• Queensland Sexual Assault Helpline provides telephone support and crisis counselling. They are available 7:30 am – 11:30 pm 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 737 732.
• Queensland has a network of specialist sexual assault services to help victims of sexual violence.
• Queensland Health Victim Support Service (QHVSS) is a free, state-wide service for you or your family, if you have been a victim of personal crime by a person with a mental illness or intellectual disability. QHVSS provides free counselling, support and information before, during and after Mental Health Court. QHVSS has offices in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.
• PACT educates, empowers and supports children and vulnerable victims and witnesses of any age, helping them understand the legal system and being by their side as they give their best evidence.
• ConnectCare provides case management and counselling support for people impacted by non-violent property crime.
• WWILD supports people with intellectual or learning disabilities who are victims or survivors of sexual violence or have been victims of crime. WWILD also works with the families, carers and services who support them.
• 54 Reasons’ SHIELD program provides trauma-informed support for boys (14+) and men who have experienced sexual violence.
• Kids Helpline provides free online and phone counselling services for children aged 5-18 and young adults aged 18-25. Phone 1800 55 1800.

Health services

Visit your local GP and talk to them about what you need.

If needed, your GP can help you access specialist services like a specialist doctor, counsellor, social worker, psychologist or other allied health practitioners.

The Women’s Wellbeing Line (1800 Women) provides free mental health support and therapeutic counselling for women, girls and gender diverse folk in Queensland.

Specialist services for families affected by homicide

We are sorry for your loss. Specialist support is available.

Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group is available 24 hours by phoning 1800 774 744. They provide:

• statewide specialist support to people who have experienced a homicide in their family.
• information about the what to expect during the investigation and subsequent trial
• information about handling media enquiries.

Victim Assist Queensland provides a wide range of special financial assistance for close family members.