2020-09-02
Victim Support ACT will receive $130 000 in funding to meet substantial increases in demand for frontline victim services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Victim of Crimes Commissioner Heidi Yates, data from June this year shows that the Victims Services Scheme experienced a 70% increase in new clients compared to the same period last year.
“This included a 126% increase in new family violence-related clients and a 50% increase in new sexual assault clients contacting us for support,” Ms Yates said.
“There is an urgent need for us to provide immediate support to victims who are reporting escalated safety concerns in the context of the pandemic.
“In June 2020, 40% of all Victims of Crime Financial Assistance applications sought help to address ‘immediate needs’ compared to only 12% in July 2019,” she said.
The Minister for Justice, Shane Rattenbury, has confirmed that the ACT Government funding will be channelled to support the Victims Services Scheme and the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme over the next 6 months.
“These two schemes are a crucial part of the Territory’s frontline COVID response, providing therapeutic and financial support to those whose lives are irreparably damaged due to the violent acts of others,” Minister Rattenbury said.
The Victims Services Scheme provides information, counselling, case coordination, advocacy and court support to victims, including specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and multicultural community outreach programs. The Financial Assistance Scheme provides payments to victims of crime to assist with their immediate needs, economic loss and recognition of the harm and trauma they have experienced.
“There has been a significant year-on-year increase in Financial Assistance Scheme applications since the scheme commenced in July 2016. In 2019-20, the Scheme received 513 applications, a 375% increase in comparison to the scheme’s first year of operation,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“The numbers continue to trend upwards and the team at Victim Support ACT have been working tirelessly to process an increase in urgent applications to assist with relocation, personal security and medical costs,” he said.
Minister Rattenbury also thanked Victim Support ACT for the work they are doing to support the most vulnerable in our community during this difficult period.
For more information on support available for victims of crime visit Victim Support ACT at victimsupport.act.gov.au, call 02 6205 2222 or email VictimSupportIntake@act.gov.au