Victims' Rights
| General Services | Rape and Domestic Violence | Elder Abuse | Child Protection | Victim Support Groups | Improvement Strategies | Interpreting Services |
All agencies working in the criminal justice system have services for victims.
General Services
Victim Management Section, South Australia Police
Victim Contact Officers can provide victims with information about their case or compensation and can link them to the prosecution authorities and other sections of the police force. They help to protect victims' rights and can provide referrals to victim-support agencies.
For help simply contact your local police station or visit:
www.police.sa.gov.au/sapol/community_services/victim_support.jsp
To find your closest Police Station visit this link:
www.police.sa.gov.au/sapol/contact_us/find_your_local_police_station.jsp
Road Trauma Support Team
The Road Trauma Support Team (RTST) help people affected by road trauma. The team conduct monthly adult support group meetings at which a qualified psychologist is present. The meetings are held in a confidential, informal and non-judgemental setting and alternate between a guest speaker and “share and care” format.
RTST also offers individuals affected by vehicle trauma referral to a qualified psychologist for free private counselling.
For more information on the Road Trauma Support Team:
Visit www.roadtraumasupportsa.com.au
Telephone (08) 8305 9675 or
Email info@roadtraumasupportsa.com.au.
Witness Assistance Service Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
The Witness Assistance Service provides a service to ensure that all victims of crime and their immediate families have access to information and support services and are aware of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with the criminal justice system.
The diverse range of services provided by Witness Assistance Officers to victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses includes:
- Providing information about the legal process, updates on the progress of a case, support services, and victim's rights and responsibilities;
- Liaison with solicitors and prosecutors;
- Court preparation and familiarisation tours
- Assessment and planning for special needs and support in preparation for the court process
- Attendance and support during meetings with solicitors and prosecutors
- Co-ordination and provision of court companion support for victims/witnesses
- Assistance with the preparation and presentation of victim impact statements for the sentencing court
- Crisis counselling, intervention and debriefing in relation to the legal process
- Interagency liaison
- Community education and training and contribution to policy about victim's issues
Visit the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' website for more information www.dpp.sa.gov.au.
Department for Correctional Services, Victim Support Services
The Victim Support Unit in the Department for Correctional Services maintains the Victims Register. The Department also runs programs to raise offenders' awareness of the impact their actions had on victims. The Unit also provides victims with the opportunity to have their say when the Department makes decisions on home detention and other forms of pre-release.
For more information visit the 'Corporate' section of the Department for Correctional Services website www.corrections.sa.gov.au/welcome.htm.
Rape and Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Helpline
This is a Domestic (family) Violence helpline for anyone, male or female, who would like to speak to a person who understands domestic (family) violence.
The service is available Statewide. Telephone 1800 800 098 at anytime.
Rape and Sexual Assault Services
Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service
Yarrow Place provides a variety of services for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted and for their partners, families and friends. Services are for people aged 16 years and over at the time of the rape or sexual assault. People aged under 16 years should contact the Child Protection Services of either the Women's and Children's Hospital or the Flinders Medical Centre.
Services include a 24-hour crisis response service for recent rape or sexual assault. This can include medical care, forensic medical examinations, counselling and advocacy.
Yarrow Place also provides follow-up medical care and ongoing counselling, training for workers, prevention programs, a group work and seminar program and systems advocacy.
Yarrow Place conducts free seminars about the criminal justice system for people who have experienced a rape or sexual assault.
To find out more visit the Yarrow Place website www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/other/yarrowplace/files/index
Elder Abuse
Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS)
This service assists older people who have experienced any form of abuse from family, friends or anyone close to them. ARAS will support the older person to access the help he or she needs to stop further abuse from occurring.
Justice Portfolio members include:
- Legal Services Commission
- South Australia Police
- Public Advocate
- Public Trustee
For further information visit the ARAS website www.agedrights.asn.au.
Child Protection
Department of Family and Youth Services Crisis Care Unit
Children, Youth and Family Services provides support and assistance to the community, especially those experiencing disadvantage or who are in need of care and protection
After Hours Emergency Services: Crisis Care: 131 611 OR Child Abuse Report Line (24 Hours): 131 478
Child Protection Services
Child Protection Services (CPS) assesses and treats children from birth to 18 years and their families where there are suspicions of child abuse or neglect.
www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/divisions/paedm/childprot/index.html
www.flinders.sa.gov.au/womenandchildren/pages/paeds/
Contact details
Women’s and Children’s Hospital
General Enquiries telephone: (08) 8161 7346
Intake Enquiries telephone: (08) 8161 7346
After Hours Service telephone: (08) 8161 7000
Fax: (08) 8161 6062
Email: childprot@wch.sa.gov.au
Flinders Medical Centre
Telephone: (08) 8204 5484 or (08) 8204 5485
Fax: (08) 8204 5612
Victim Support Groups
Victims Support Service
The Victim Support Service is a non-government, non-profit organisation that provides many services for victims of crime, their family and friends, and for the wider community. These include counselling, provision of information about victims' rights and criminal injuries compensation, court support and support groups.
Help with interpreters can be organised. Services are confidential. The Victim Support Service now has offices in country South Australia, please see the Victim Support Services website for further details www.victimsa.org.
Homicide Victims Support Group of SA Inc, Adelaide
The Homicide Victims Support Group is a mutual support group for families and friends whose loved ones have been victims of homicide. It is supported by Anglicare's Loss and Grief Centre. Visit Anglicare SA's website for more information www.anglicare-sa.org.au.
Telephone the Loss and Grief Centre on (08) 8305 9670 or after hours on 0438 867 408.
Improvement Strategies
The position of the Commissioner for Victims’ Rights was established in 2006 to improve the situation for victims. The Commissioner makes recommendations to the Attorney-General, consults with the judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecution and victims. The Commissioner also takes a role in supporting victims and their families to submit impact statements in cases resulting in the death or permanent total incapacity of the victim.
Rape and sexual assault laws are also being reconsidered. A public consultation took place in 2006, and the results are being assessed. Recommendations will be made by an independent barrister about ammendments to the law. Once these changes are made, specific proposals will be developed to strengthen the law relating to domestic violence and restraining orders.
Interpreting Services
Interpreting services can also be obtained by telephoning 13 14 50 at any time. If you are dealing with the police, courts or any other agency let them know as soon as possible if you need an interpreter. If there is a charge for interpreting, these may be met by the agency you are dealing with.
The Commissioner for Victims' Rights has a website (www.voc.sa.gov.au) that provides information that can help victims at any stage of the criminal justice process.
