Progress on victims’ compensation scheme shows the Victorian government is listening, but the job is not done yet

The Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme was introduced by the Victorian Government last year to replace the former Victims of Crime Administrative Tribunal and provide vital support for people recovering from acts of violence. Since commencing, there have been significant issues with the administration of the scheme, resulting in significant barriers for people who have experienced violent crime to access financial assistance to support their recovery. 

The Victorian community legal sector acknowledges the recent amendments to the Financial Assistance Scheme Guidelines, which are a step in the right direction to strengthening the Financial Assistance Scheme so more victims of crime can access justice.  

Community legal centres played an important role in advocating for changes towards a victim-centred, respectful and validating approach. We are pleased to see some of our recommendations incorporated into the updated Guidelines, including: 

• Expanded factors considered in determining ‘special circumstances’ for not reporting to the police (including intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, and fear of re-traumatisation) 

• Clearer wording around evidentiary requirements that lowers the evidentiary threshold for victims, and  

• Allowing third parties to make a police report on an applicant’s behalf. 

We thank the Victorian Government for introducing these changes, and for listening to and engaging with our sector. We look forward to supporting the implementation of these changes. In particular, we are keen to see the implementation of the intended lower thresholds for evidence, which is critical in meeting the intentions of the scheme.  

Although these reforms are a step in the right direction, more changes are needed to make the Financial Assistance Scheme more trauma-informed, culturally safe and accessible to all victims of crime. Specifically, we’re calling for the inclusion of special categories for non-reporting to police, exemptions from proving injury for certain cohorts and for the Financial Assistance Scheme to pay for legal costs associated with internal reviews or requests to transition from the previous Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal system to the new Financial Assistance Scheme.  

With an independent legislative review due within two years, we look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government to ensure that the scheme evolves into a truly trauma-informed, accessible, and effective system that better supports those it is intended to serve. 

Louisa Gibbs, CEO at the Federation said:  

“The Victorian community legal sector has long been a proponent of financial compensation for victims of crime, which we know is key to supporting victims in their recovery. However, there has been widespread concern across community legal centres that the Financial Assistance Scheme rolled out by the government is not meeting its objectives in supporting victims of crime in an accessible and trauma-informed way.  

“We thank the Victorian Government for its engagement, and action to introduce positive changes to the scheme.  There is more to be done to make the Financial Assistance Scheme fit-for-purpose, and we look forward to continuing to work with the government towards developing the scheme further, to ensure that all victims of crime are financially supported to recover.”