The Victims of Crime Bureau is a government initiative established under the Victims Rights Act 1996 to provide a critical link between victims of crime and service providers throughout NSW.

The Bureau's primary objectives are to:

• provide support and referral services to victims of crime;
• coordinate the delivery of victims support and counselling services by government and community agencies;
• oversee the implementation of and report on the statutory Charter of Victims Rights; and
• co-ordinate support services to the families and friends of missing persons.

For the purposes of the Victims Rights Act 1996, a victim is defined as a person suffering physical and/or emotional harm and/or property loss/damage, as a direct result of an act of violence committed by another person in the course of a criminal offence.

Services provided by the Bureau

The Bureau provides or coordinates a wide range of services either directly or indirectly for victims of crime including:

• providing, in conjunction with the Sydney City Mission, a state-wide 24 hour Victims Support Line which offers telephone counselling, support, information and referral service to victims of crime;
• providing information to victims of crime about support services and counselling and compensation application procedures;
• accrediting counsellors and administering the Approved Counselling Scheme;
• monitoring implementation of the Charter of Victims Rights and resolving complaints;
• hosting an Interagency forum of key stakeholders in victims’ services and conducting projects arising from the interagency;
• training and educating providers of services for victims of crime and the community;
• developing resource materials (brochures, information kits and posters) relating to support services for and the rights of victims of crime;
• publishing the Victims of Crime Chronicle which is a newsletter that provides updates on the Bureau's activities and a forum for the exchange of information.
• developing and maintaining a data base of support services for victims of crime throughout NSW;
• researching and developing policy and undertaking projects on matters affecting victims of crime; and
• providing strategic policy advice to the Attorney General and the Premier’s Office.

The Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit is a recent government initiative established under an amendment to the Victims Rights Act 1996 to co-ordinate support services to the families and friends of missing persons. This role is a new and discrete function for the Victims of Crime Bureau. Select this link to read more about the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit

Forums and Information Sessions

Victims Services recognises the need to provide information and training about our services and also about issues relevant to victims of crime. We attend forums and training sessions throughout NSW where appropriate. View our 2004 calendar.

You can make a request for members of Victims Services to come to your area to discuss relevant issues. Select this link to download a request form which you can print and complete. Please return the form by post or fax to Victims Services.

If you would like to discuss requesting a forum or information session further, contact the Victims of Crime Bureau.

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Contact the Victims of Crime Bureau