It’s important for survivors of domestic and family violence to feel safe and secure. Fortunately, the Queensland Government are doing their part – by providing financial assistance, advice, and support for survivors of violent crime like domestic or family abuse, through Victim Assist.
As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, this post highlights Victim Assist, how it helps survivors of domestic violence, who’s eligible for financial assistance and the process for claiming it.
What is Victim Assist?
Definition and Purpose
Victim Assist is a Queensland governmental agency that offers information, guidance, and financial assistance to victims of violent crimes, which includes:
- Domestic and family violence
- Physical assault
- Attempted murder
- Sexual violence
- Child abuse
- Being threatened with physical force or a weapon
- Stalking, kidnapping or deprivation of liberty
- Dangerous driving resulting in grievous bodily harm
The purpose of Victim Assist is to support survivors of violent crime, providing the resources, financial and otherwise, to put an end to the abuse they’re suffering, get into a safer and stable situation, and make a fresh start. Additionally, while undergoing the process of breaking free and building a better life, Victim Assist makes survivors of violent crimes, like domestic abuse, aware of their rights as victims and how and when to assert them.
Eligibility Criteria for Financial Assistance
There are three types of individuals who are eligible for financial assistance from Victim Assist:
- Primary victim: the person who suffered the violent crime. In regards to domestic or family violence, this can be at the hand of any family member, guardian, or carer – not just a partner or parent. Also, when it comes to children (under 18), they can apply for financial assistance from Victim Assist themselves or have a parent apply on their behalf.
- Parent secondary victim: a parent of a child affected by domestic or family violence can apply for financial assistance if they suffered psychological harm from the violence inflicted upon their children.
- Witness to violence: a person who witnessed violent crimes can apply for financial assistance, especially, as with a parent secondary victim, it resulted in mental harm.
Types of Support and Assistance Available
Victim’s Assist offers a range of services and financial assistance to survivors of domestic violence.
First and foremost, victims of violent crime are eligible for a single, lump sum special assistance payment. This can be as much as $10,000, though the amount awarded is dependent on:
- The violent crime suffered by the victim
- The extent of their injuries
- The general circumstances surrounding the crime
Additionally, the primary victim of violent crime can claim other expenses related to the crime and their ongoing situation. These expenses can include:
- Medical expenses
- Counselling expenses
- Legal expenses
- Loss of earnings, i.e., if you had to take time off work as a result of violence
- Damage to clothing
- Travel to medical and counselling appointments
- Other expenses
In addition, Victim Assist offers a range of guidance and resources to support individuals in several ways. This includes legal advice, counselling, and other community support services, which we detail in the final section of this article.
Financial Assistance for Home Security
Under the broad category of other expenses, you’ll find security expenses: financial assistance offered by Victim’s Assist to cover the cost of security solutions for the survivors of domestic and family violence. Let’s turn our attention to the types of security solutions available to survivors of domestic violence and how they can claim them.
Which Security Equipment and Measures are Covered by Victim Assist?
Victim Assist provides up to $5,000 for security upgrades, which include:
- Security screens and doors
- Security alarm systems and cameras
- Lighting, e.g., motion-activated lights, spotlights, etc
- A personal duress pendant
- An internet-ready cellphone (up to the value of $300)
- Repairs and works to improve the security of your home (e.g., new doors, windows, locks, etc.)
Security expenses, do not, however, subscription fees, like 24/7 back-to-base monitoring. That said, an individual could choose to use their special assistance payment for professional monitoring.
Additionally, if the violence necessitates moving out of your home into emergency accommodation, Victim’s Assist may repay the cost for up to 3 months, at a maximum of $200/night). If the situation continues and requires permanent relocation expenses, individuals can claim $5,000 to put towards the cost of hiring professional removalists, vehicles, etc.
The Application Process for Financial Assistance
Submitting the Application
To claim financial assistance, the applicant will need to:
- Report the crime: this includes filing a report with the police and providing Victim Assist with the station you reported it to and the QP number you were given.
- Fill in the primary victim application form
- Describe their injuries: this may include medical reports and certificates, which Victim Assist can obtain from the professionals that treated the victim.
Required Documentation
When submitting their application, the applicant must verify their identity by including clear copies or photos of:
- One of the following:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Australian Citizenship or Naturalisation Certificate
- Driver’s License with photo ID
- Queensland photo ID card
- Two of the following:
- Medicare card
- Marriage certificate
- Credit or debit card with embossed name
- Bank passbook, or a bank statement featuring the applicant’s name
- Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs card
- Letter from employer (current or within the last two years)
- Secondary school photo ID card
- Tertiary photo ID card
- Australian Exam Report (for applicants under 16 years)
- Australian Record of Achievement (for applicants under 16 years)
- Australian Secondary School Exam Certificate (for applicants under 16 years)
Approval Process and Timelines
If the applicant’s claim for financial assistance is approved, Victim Assist will send them a Notice of Decision that details the awarded amount and approved expenses, as well as any conditions. Because of the volume of applications, the process can take months, at worst. However, there is a process for urgent and immediate expenses, but the claim must be recent, urgent, relevant, and evidenced (i.e., evidence of injuries submitted to the police).
Additional Support and Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Counselling and Emotional Support Services
Mental recovery is essential for survivors of violent crime, so in recognition of this, Victim Assist offers a range of counselling and emotional resources to support their road to recovery.
Firstly, survivors of domestic and family violence can call the DVConnect helplines, which provide around-the-clock counselling services. DVConnect can also refer individuals to other counselling and therapy services best suited to their present circumstances.
Visit DVConnect for more information:
Additionally, Victim’s Assist can help pay for counselling sessions for survivors of domestic and family violence. Those eligible can initially claim expenses for up to 12 sessions, with the possibility to claim for more if prescribed by an eligible counsellor, along with the presentation of a treatment plan.
Legal Support and Advice
Survivors of domestic or family violence can also receive legal guidance and support from Victim Assist and other government agencies.
The first is Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ), which offers free legal information by phone or in person in 14 locations around Queensland, as well as legal advice, representation, and other services. Victims of violent crime can also get free or low-cost legal services from Community Legal Centres Queensland.
Additionally, individuals can claim back up to $500 in expenses spent on legal advice when applying for financial support from Victim Assist. This could include asking a lawyer to help with the application or having one submit on their behalf.
Victim Assist can also guide survivors of violent crime through the court process, advising them on how it works and what to expect if they have to attend court, such as the Victim Coordination Program can provide information about the court process. This might include referring you to agencies that can give you practical support.
Summary
- Victim Assist is a Queensland governmental agency that offers information, guidance, and financial assistance to victims of violent crimes.
- Victims of violent crime are eligible for a single, lump sum special assistance payment of as much as $10,000, dependent on the violent crime suffered by the victim and the extent of their injuries
- Individuals can apply for financial assistance from Victim Assist as a:
- Primary victim: the person who suffered the violent crime
- Parent secondary victim: a parent of a child affected by domestic or family violence
- Witness to violence
- Additionally, the primary victim of violent crime can claim other expenses, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Counselling expenses
- Legal expenses
- Loss of earnings
- Damage to clothing
- Travel to medical and counselling appointments
- Other expenses
- Security upgrades fall under other expenses, and an applicant can claim up to $5,000 for security upgrades, including:
- Security screens and doors
- Security alarm systems and cameras
- Security lighting
- A panic pendant
- A cellphone
- Upgraded doors, windows, locks, etc.
- However, 24/7 security monitoring is not covered by Victim Assist
- To submit their application, the individual is required to:
- Report the crime to the authorities
- Fill in the primary victim application form
- Describe their injuries
- Survivors of domestic violence can receive counselling and emotional support from the DVConnect helpline
- They can also claim back expenses for at least 12 counselling sessions
- They can also claim legal support and advice through Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ), as well as free or low-cost legal services from Community Legal Centres Queensland.
If you know anyone who may be suffering the abuse of domestic and family violence, or any other type of violent crime, please direct them towards this post and encourage them to contact the organisations below.
Victim Assist
- Website
- Phone: 1300 546 587
DVConnect (Womensline)
- Website
- Phone: 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days)
DVConnect (Mensline)
- Website
- Phone: 1800 600 636 (9am – Midnight, 7 days)
Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) - Website
- Phone: 1300 65 11 88
Community Legal Centres
- Website
- Phone: 07 3392 0092
