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Victorian Law Reform Commission calls for greater victim support
The Victorian Law Reform Commission is calling for a new scheme to be introduced that will provide financial and practical assistance to victims of crime.
Emma Musgrave
The VLRC said the scheme should be set up and run from the office of the Victims of Crime Commissioner in order to be separate from the court and tribunal system.
In calling for the new scheme, the VLRC highlighted the need for victims to have their voices heard in a respectful forum. It added that it should apply to anyone who has been a victim and suffered an injury as a result of a criminal act, including all sexual offences, some serious property offences and a range of family violence offences.
"The commission recommends that the current Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal should be abolished. The current levels of financial assistance should be increased, and the scheme should be funded by the state," the statement from the VLRC said.
"Victims should also be entitled to receive a recognition statement which acknowledges the impact of the criminal act on behalf of the state."
Commenting further, chair of the VLRC Philip Cummins AM said, “The commission recommends that the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 should be repealed and replaced with an act that establishes a new scheme to better help victims recover from a criminal act.
“Contemporary understanding of victims’ rights and needs has moved beyond the present Victorian system, and there is a need for a new scheme that is therapeutic, victim-centred and trauma-informed.
“Our recommendations would make it easier for victims to get the help they need more quickly, through a non-traumatic and straightforward process.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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