Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (23:56): (2144) My adjournment is to the Attorney-General. It relates to the support, or lack of it, provided to victims of crime in Victoria. Even though the perpetrator pleaded guilty, I spoke with someone yesterday who has been struggling to navigate this service for the last five years. They were notified of financial assistance but are yet to receive any benefit. They have spent countless hours calling the support line, not getting through. Calls to the victims of crime financial assistance scheme have remained unanswered. After contacting the complaints line, they were told paperwork would be sent, but it did not arrive. They have turned up to counselling appointments confirmed the day before only to be told that the counsellor was double booked. They turned up to court to be accompanied by a support person who never showed up. The list of failures has continued, and they are tired of getting the run-around.

Just over 12 months ago I raised concern about the system that was set up to support victims of crime. At the time there was a massive privacy breach when the personal email addresses of over 480 victims of crime were shared by the service, notifying people of the transitional arrangements from the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal to the new financial assistance scheme. An apology did little to address the issue, and the incident left victims having to deal with the significant stress and trauma caused by this breach. This state government–run service is meant to offer protection, support and financial compensation to victims of crime, but from the experiences I have heard firsthand, it appears victims are being put through the mill. The lady has consented to me providing contact details in the hope that she will be able to speak with someone who will be able to assist. The action I seek is for the Attorney-General to examine this service to not only address the issues raised by this one lady but the many others not brave enough to speak out about the shortcomings of a service that is meant to support them.