The Victorian government has announced a new Financial Assistance Scheme to provide financial aid to victims of violent crimes, replacing the existing Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT). The scheme is designed to be more efficient than VOCAT, as it will be administered by a government-appointed administrator instead of the courts, which should significantly reduce processing time.
The Financial Assistance Scheme continues to cover various expenses such as medical costs, loss of earnings, counselling, and other recovery-related expenses. Additionally, victims will have more time to apply for assistance, with up to three years provided instead of the previous two-year period under VOCAT. Adult survivors of family violence and sexual offences will have up to ten years to apply.
The Financial Assistance Scheme also codifies the recognition of family relationships, including Aboriginal kinship and LGBTIQ+ relationships, and covers more sexual offences such as upskirting. Furthermore, victims will no longer have to prove that they have a mental illness resulting from the violent crime, which should make the process less complicated.
Overall, the Financial Assistance Scheme promises to provide greater support to victims of violent crimes than the current VOCAT program, and is a significant step forward in assisting those who have suffered from violent crimes.
Since 2014, YourLawyer has been providing assistance to victims of crime. As we approach our ten-year anniversary, we look to the future in a series exploring the new Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme that is set to commence in Victoria early in 2024.
Other articles in this series:
Victims of Crime – New Financial Assistance Scheme
Victims of Crime – Why a new scheme
Victims of Crime – Models considered
Victims of Crime – FAS changes
Victims of Crime – FAS application process
Victims of Crime – FAS application requirements
Victims of Crime – Victim recognition
Victims of Crime – The importance of validation
Victims of Crime – Victims’ diverse needs
Victims of Crime – Meeting victims’ needs