Assistance for victims of crime

The following legal options are available for victims of crime:

• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal: provides financial assistance to victims of crime to help cover expenses incurred as a direct result of that crime (e.g. lost earnings, counselling, medical, safety and funeral expenses) – see ‘Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal’, below.
• Civil proceedings: a victim can issue a civil claim for damages against the offender – see ‘Civil claims for damages’, below.
• Compensation under the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic): a victim can seek compensation from the offender for pain and suffering; the court can also order the offender to pay the victim’s medical, counselling and other expenses – see ‘Compensation under the Sentencing Act’, below.