Keeping safe | Victims of Crime Victoria

The Crime
The Crime
- The effects of crime
  The effects of crime
  
  Beyond the direct harm caused by a crime, there are common emotional and physical effects that you may experience. You can get support.
- Types of crime
  Types of crime
  
  There are many different types of crime. If you are affected, you can take action.
- How to report a crime
  How to report a crime
  
  Find out your options for reporting a crime in Victoria.
- Reasons to report a crime
  Reasons to report a crime
  
  You may be worried about telling someone what happened, but there are good reasons for making a police report.
- If I am not ready to report the crime yet
  If I am not ready to report the crime yet
  
  Even if you are not ready to report a crime, you can still get help from the Victims of Crime Helpline.
- Keeping safe
  Keeping safe
  
  Your safety is important and, if you are affected by crime, there are things you can do to help improve it.
- Service standards you can expect
  Service standards you can expect
  
  We value diversity, inclusion and social justice, and are committed to treating people of all cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and religions with dignity and respect.
- Get help
  Get help
  
  The Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Helpline offers information, advice and support for you and your family.
Police Investigation
Police Investigation
- About the investigation
  About the investigation
  
  After a crime is reported to police, there is a police investigation.
- Making a statement
  Making a statement
  
  If you are the victim or witness of a crime, the police will ask you to make a detailed statement about what happened.
- Collecting evidence
  Collecting evidence
  
  As part of the investigation, the police collect evidence they will need to prove a case in court.
- Getting information about the investigation
  Getting information about the investigation
  
  You have a right to be kept informed.
Charges Laid
Charges Laid
- Laying charges
  Laying charges
  
  When police investigate a crime, they will decide on whether there is enough evidence to lay charges against an accused person.
- Summary and indictable offences
  Summary and indictable offences
  
  Criminal offences are divided into two types based on how serious they are.
- Bail and remand
  Bail and remand
  
  Most people who are charged with a crime get bail, which means they are released until the court case.
Going to Court
Going to Court
- Getting information about your court case
  Getting information about your court case
  
  Find out how to get information about court cases in Victoria.
- Summons and subpoenas
  Summons and subpoenas
  
  As a victim of crime, you may be called upon to be a witness in court.
- Types of courts
  Types of courts
  
  The court the case will go to depends on the type of crime that was committed and the age of the accused person.
- Getting ready for court
  Getting ready for court
  
  If you are a witness in the court case, you need to get ready for court.
- Giving evidence
  Giving evidence
  
  What to do when you have to give evidence at court.
- Victim Impact Statements
  Victim Impact Statements
  
  Telling the court about how the crime has affected you.
- The court's decision
  The court's decision
  
  At the end of a court case, important decisions are made about the verdict and any penalties.
- Financial assistance and compensation for victims of crime
  Financial assistance and compensation for victims of crime
  
  If you have been affected by a crime, you may be able to apply for financial assistance or seek compensation from the offender.
- Applying for financial assistance from VOCAT
  Applying for financial assistance from VOCAT
  
  Victims of violent crime in Victoria may be able to apply for financial assistance from VOCAT to help them with costs.
- Child and Youth Witness Service
  Child and Youth Witness Service
  
  A service to help children and young people who are witnesses at court.
After Court
After Court
- Appeals
  Appeals
  
  A guilty verdict is not always the end of the court process. Learn about how appeals work.
- While the offender is in prison
  While the offender is in prison
  
  Offenders may serve their sentence in a prison or youth justice centre in Victoria.
- Parole
  Parole
  
  An offender serving a sentence in prison may apply for parole – conditional release into the community after they have served their non-parole period.
- Post sentence scheme
  Post sentence scheme
  
  The post sentence scheme monitors some serious sex and serious violent offenders after the end of their sentence to help reduce risks of reoffending in the community.
- Victims Register – offender information
  Victims Register – offender information
  
  Victims can apply to receive updates about offenders who are sent to prison.

Your safety is important and, if you are affected by crime, there are things you can do to help improve it.

If you are in danger now, call police on Triple Zero (000)

If you have been affected by crime, but have not yet reported it, police can help keep you safe.

Worried about your safety?

If you are not in immediate danger, but are worried about your safety you can:

call the police officer in charge of your case
contact the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817.

If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is currently occurring, please call police on Triple Zero (000). You can also go to your local police station (External link).

There are steps you can take to help protect yourself - find out how to apply for an intervention order or make a safety plan.

You can also learn more about ways you can help protect your safety:

avoid contact with the offender
apply for an intervention order
make a safety plan
find out how you can be protected if you need go to court as a witness
protect yourself when you are online.

Crimes and safety

There are some crimes where people can be unsure if there is a problem or how much their safety could be at risk. You can learn more about how to deal with:

Within this section

Protection at court

Protection at court

If you need to go to court as a victim or witness, there are measures in place to help protect you.

Making a safety plan

Making a safety plan

There are things you can do to help improve your safety and you can get help to make a plan that is right for your situation.

Avoid contact with the offender

Avoid contact with the offender

Victims and witnesses should avoid contact with the accused person.

Intervention orders

Intervention orders

An intervention order can help protect you and your family from anyone who is violent or makes you feel unsafe.

Online safety

Online safety

Email and the internet may not be safe ways to communicate if you are concerned for your safety.