The publications on this page are available from Victims Services and are designed to help victims of crime and service providers who assist victims of crime. You may choose a category that interests you or scroll down the page to view all available publications.
For information on how to order copies of our publications go to our Publications - How to Obtain Copies page.
Some of our publications are available in PDF (Portable Document Format). To read these PDF documents you will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. The Adobe Reader can be installed free by clicking on the following link: 
Appeals
Compensation
Counselling
Court
Families of Homicide Victims
General Information
Restitution Forms
Service Provider Information
Victim Impact Statements
Victims of Domestic Violence
Victims of Sexual Assault
Victims Registers
Victims Rights
Reports - including the Chairperson's Report, Key Facts, The Victims Advisory Board Report, the Victims of Crime Chronicle, and report from the Aboriginal Interagency Forum.
Application Forms for Counselling and Compensation
Appeals
Appeals Information Sheet (Word 156Kb) contains information for victims of crime and their legal representatives on the Tribunal appeal process for compensation, including the Notice of Appeal. Topics covered include: grounds of appeal; full particulars; time to lodge an appeal; lodging an appeal; whether a solicitor is needed.
Notice of Appeal (Word 27Kb)is the one page form to use when lodging an appeal to the Victims Compensation Tribunal regarding a decision made by a compensation assessor.
Compensation
Compensation for Victims of Violent Crime (pdf 99Kb) is a pamphlet providing information about applying for victims compensation under the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996. Questions answered include:
- Am I eligible to claim for compensation?
- What can I claim compensation for?
- What types of claims are not covered by the victims compensation scheme?
- Is my behaviour at the time of the incident relevant?
- How do I make a claim?
This pamphlet is available in the following languages:
Arabic (pdf 1859Kb)
Chinese (pdf 271Kb)
Greek (pdf 143Kb)
Tagalog (pdf 95Kb)
Vietnamese (pdf 119Kb)
Guide to the Victims Assistance Scheme (VAS) (pdf 149Kb) is a pamphlet providing information about the VAS which reimburses certain prescribed expenses for victims of crime who are not eligible for statutory compensation because their injuries, as a result of the act of violence, do not reach the threshold. Topics include: what expenses can be reimbursed; how to make a claim; who can make a claim; and how much money may be received.
Authorised Report Writers - A Guide for Applicants (pdf 52Kb) is a four page information sheet explaining the Authorised Report Writer (ARW) Service for applicants claiming compensation for a category 1 or 2 psychological or psychiatric disorder. Topics covered include: choosing an ARW; the ARW approval process; costs for ARW reports; the ARW Appointment; the ARW Report; and how the assessment is conducted.
Schedule of Injuries (pdf 200Kb) of the Victims Support & Rehabilitation Act 1996, is a list of all the injuries for which compensation can be claimed.
Counselling
Approved Counselling Scheme for Victims of Violent Crime (pdf 99Kb) is a pamphlet about the Approved Counselling Scheme under the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996. Questions answered include:
- Who are the Approved Counsellors?
- Am I eligible to receive Approved Counselling?
- How do I apply for Approved Counselling?
- How many hours of Approved Counselling can I receive?
- How is my application for Approved Counselling processed?
This pamphlet is available in the following languages:
Arabic (pdf 167Kb)
Chinese (pdf 210Kb)
Greek (pdf 118Kb)
Tagalog (pdf 76Kb)
Vietnamese (pdf 149Kb)
Court
Access to Court Documents - Information for Victims of Crime (pdf 91Kb). If you have been a victim of crime and there were criminal proceedings against the offender, you may be able to access court documents in those proceedings. You may be entitled to fee-free access to judgements and written evidence in those proceedings in which you are concerned.This is a two page information guide for victims of crime explaining how you can access court documents from the local, district or supreme court.
Sentencing Information Package (pdf 147Kb) is an 12 page A4 booklet jointly produced by the Victims of Crime Bureau, the Criminal Law Review Division and the NSW Sentencing Council to assist victims of crime in understanding the sentencing process.
Your Day in Court booklet (pdf 378Kb) provides information for victims of crime preparing to be a witness in court. Topics covered include:
- Words used in a court
- What happens between the crime and the court hearing
- Preparing for court
- In Court
- Looking After Yourself
This is also available in the form of a video and an audiotape and copies may be ordered using the Publications Order Form. You may view the information directly on the Victims of Crime website.
Families of Homicide Victims
Information for Family Members of Homicide Victims (pdf 104Kb) is a pamphlet providing information about entitlements for family members of homicide victims under the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996. Included is information on obtaining counselling and compensation, including interim payments for funeral expenses.
General Information
Information for Victims of Youth Crime (pdf 251Kb) is a pamphlet that for victims of a crime committed by a young person explaining actions the police may take, such as warnings, cautions and conferencing, available support services and whether you may entitled to compensation.
Information and Support for Victims of Crime (pdf 174Kb) is a pamphlet which provides information about common trauma responses for victims of crime and assists victims of crime to access services. Topics covered include:
- Normal reactions to a crime
- Some possible effects of experiencing a crime
- Some ways to cope with the effects of a crime
- Information for family and friends of victims of crime
This pamphlet is available in the following languages:
Arabic (pdf 1540Kb)
Chinese (pdf 300Kb)
Greek (pdf 156Kb)
Tagalog (pdf 166Kb)
Vietnamese (pdf 177Kb)
Coping with Sleeplessness (pdf 92Kb) is a four page sheet with suggestions to help victims of crime cope with sleeplessness and nightmares and includes a list of agencies that provide support.
Coping with Witnessing a Traumatic Event (pdf 83Kb) is a one page sheet with information to help cope with witnessing a traumatic event including:
- Common reactions
- Resurfacing feelings of grief and anxiety
- Helping children to cope
Helping Children Cope With Trauma (pdf 92Kb) is a four page sheet outlining ways to help children to cope with trauma and includes a list of agencies that provide support. Topics covered include:
- Symptoms children may dispay after a traumatic event
- How parents can help
- When to seek professional help
- Contact details of agencies who can help
Supporting a Family Member or Friend who is a Victim of Crime (pdf 89Kb) is a two page sheet with ways to support a family member or friend who is a victim of crime. Topics include:
- Common feelings and reactions
- What you can do to assist
- Types of victims of crime
Violent Crime Against Men: Where to Find Help (pdf 91Kb) is a two page sheet with information for men who have been a victim of crime. Topics include::
- Common physical & emotional reactions
- How counselling can help
- What the victim can do
- Other support services
What now? (pdf 192Kb) is a 44 page booklet which provides an introduction to support and services available for victims of crime in NSW. It is divided into five sections: Support, Needs, Rights, Advice for Families & Friends, and Complaints & Contatcts.
Statements of Harm Information Guide (pdf 157Kb) is a two page guide to assist victims of crime who may be considering making a statement of harm to be read to young offenders receiving a caution (Young Offenders Act 1997).
Mental Illness and Serious Crime (pdf 199Kb) is a four page fact sheet that explains how a person who has committed an act of violence can be found not guilty by reason of mental illness, within the criminal justice system in NSW. Topics covered include:
- What happens when a person with a mental illness has been arrested?
- What does not guilty by means of mental illness mean?
- What happens after a finding of not guilty by reason of mental illness is made?
- What is a forensic patient?
- What is the Mental Health Review Tribunal?
Information about investigation of the crime (pdf 104Kb) is a fact sheet jointly produced by Victims Services and NSW Police Force that assists victims find out about the progress of the investigation of the crime. It explains:
- The process for investigation
- Who is involved in the investigation
- Who a victim should contact
- How long an investigation generally lasts
- Other assistance available from the police
Restitution Forms
Affidavit of Financial Circumstances (Word 71Kb)
Application to Pay Amount of Restitution by Arrangement (Word 44 Kb)
Notice of Objection (Word 22Kb)
Application to Set Aside (Word 29Kb)
Service Provider Information
Standards for Counselling (pdf 83Kb) is a service manual which provides information for services which provide counselling to victims of crime. Topics covered include:
- Background to services
- Providing a response
- Principles
- Standards
- Sample feedback sheet
Standards for Court Support is a service manual which provides information for services which provide court support to victims of crime. This is not available to view online but can be obtained from the Victims of Crime Bureau.
Raising the Standards is a training package provided for agencies that assist victims of crime. The package is available on CD-ROM. For more information about the contents of the package please go to Raising the Standards.
The Charter of Victims Resource Kit can be viewed online as a web page and was developed as a guide to agencies on the best practice to be followed in relation to the Charter of Victims Rights.
Victim Impact Statements
Victim Impact Statements Information Package (pdf 155Kb) is a 10 page information booklet to assist victims making a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) in the local, district or supreme court. Topics covered include:
- What is a victim impact statement
- Who can prepare a victim impact statement
- When should a victim impact statement be prepared
- What information should be in a victim impact statement
- Where to obtain help in preparing a victim impact statement
Victim Impact Statements (pdf 99Kb) is a poster promoting the assistance that can be obtained from the Victims Support Line staff to complete a victim impact statement.
Victims of Domestic Violence
Information about Compensation for Victims of Domestic Violence (pdf 95KB) is an information sheet about claiming compensation for victims of domestic violence. Questions answered include:
- What incidents of domestic violence may result in eligibility for compensation?
- What evidence do I need?
- When can I claim the injury of Domestic Violence?
- Do I need to see an Authorised Report Writer?
- How much compensation may be awarded for the injury of Domestic Violence?
Family Violence: Information about compensation and counselling for victims (pdf 223Kb) - Information for Indigenous clients who may have been a victim of domestic/family violence.
Victims of Sexual Assault
Information about Compensation for Victims of Sexual Assault (pdf 91Kb) is an information sheet about claiming compensation for victims of sexual assault. Questions answered include:
- What injuries can I be awarded compensation for?
- What evidence do I need?
- How much compensation may be awarded for the compensable injury of Sexual Assault?
- Can I state which category of sexual assault I think should be awarded?
Sexual Assault: Information about compensation and counselling for victims (pdf 224Kb) - Information for Indigenous clients who may have been a victim of sexual assault.
Victims Registers
Victims Registers (pdf 164Kb) is a pamphlet which provides information for victims of crime about victims registers. Information is provided about the purposes of the victims registers and the contact details of the three agencies who hold victims registers: Department of Corrective Services, the Justice Health Forensic Executive Support Unit and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
This pamphlet, Victims Registers, is available in the following languages:
Arabic (pdf 134Kb)
Chinese (pdf 101Kb)
Spanish (pdf 42Kb)
Vietnamese (pdf 192Kb)
Victims Rights
Are You a Victim of Crime? (pdf 1634Kb) is a pamphlet supporting young people who are victims of crime.
The Charter of Victims Rights (pdf 88Kb) a two page information sheet setting out the 17 rights contained in the Charter of Victims Rights and also explaining what to do if you feel your rights under the charter are not being met.
Charter of Victims Rights for Indigenous Clients (pdf 216Kb) is a two page information sheet setting out in plain English for Aboriginal victims of crime the 17 rights contained in the Charter of Victims Rights and also explaining what to do if you feel your rights under the charter are not being met.
Your Rights as a Victim of Crime - (pdf 1262Kb) is a booklet explaining the Charter of Victims Rights, especially for victims with a cognitive disability. This booklet goes through each of the 17 rights under the Charter and adds explanations in plain English to assist in the understanding of the rights.
Charter of Victims Rights (pdf 301Kb) is a poster explaining the Charter of Victims Rights, especially for victims with a cognitive disability. The 17 rights for victims of crime are explained in cartoon format.
Listen Up - Information for Young People (pdf 114Kb) is a pamphlet in cartoon format which gives information about the Charter of Victims Rights for young people.
Your Rights as a Victim of Crime (pdf 117Kb) is a pamphlet about rights under the Charter of Victims Rights. It summarises the rights for victims of crime and explains what to do if you feel your rights have been breached and the role of the Victims of Crime Bureau.
Return of property held by the State (pdf 93Kb) is a fact sheet explaining Charter of Victims Rights Number 10. Under the Charter victims have the right to reclaim their property held by the State once the property is no longer required for investigation or by the courts.
