Page 806 - Week 02 - Thursday, 25 February 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
considered by a government reference group overseeing the review. I expect to be in a position to introduce legislative reforms relating to that review in mid 2010.
However, as the issues paper states “there are numerous examples in the ACT of officers who balance the dual function of statutory appointment with the managerial, administrative and reporting responsibilities of a public servant”.2
(22) The responsibility for managing the Department’s contract with VOCAL was delegated to the Director, Victim Support ACT, for efficiency reasons. The Department is responsible for all decisions relating to the contract. There is no conflict of interest in this arrangement.
(23) Victim Support ACT has developed policies, ratified by the Victims Assistance Board, that clearly define its role and function. The Victims of Crime Act 1994 defines the role and function of the VoCC. Both entities have very different roles and responsibilities.
(24) The Victims of Crime Coordinator does not manage funds for community organisations. The Victims of Crime Coordinator does not manage referrals to community organisations.
Clients of Victim Support ACT are assessed at intake regarding their presenting issues and they are then informed and referred to other services as required. Clients are given the right to choose their preferred service provider. I am not aware of waiting lists for victims to utilise victim services.
(25) The revenue raised by the victim services levy is placed in consolidated revenue to fund enhanced services for victims of crime in the ACT. The money raised from the levy, and the infringement penalty increase, is to provide an ongoing funding source to enhance services for victims of crime, and is used specifically for this purpose. The money collected will ensure a better integration and access to services, information and support for victims of crime involved in the criminal justice process.
In 2007, the same year that the levy was introduced, the Government allocated $4 million to increase services to victims of sexual assault by funding a number of victim support positions in government and non-government agencies, special prosecutors and installed technology at the Magistrates and Supreme court rooms that allow victims of sexual assault to give their evidence once, rather than several times, and to give that evidence by audio/visual means, rather than have to face the offender in a court room.
Victim Support ACT is one of a number of agencies that receive funding from that source to expand and enhance services to victims of crime. Victim Support ACT brings together the counselling and recovery team from the Victims Services Scheme and the Victims of Crime Coordinator’s Office, to ensure victims in the justice system receive a more cohesive and streamlined response.
(26) Victim Support ACT is not a general crisis support service. However if a person presents to the Victim Support ACT office in crisis during business hours the designated duty officer will see the person to assess his/her needs and refer to specialist services as necessary. If a client presents in crisis, the duty officer will speak to that person and will link them to specialist services such as Lifeline, Domestic Violence Crisis Service or the Mental Health Crisis and Assessment Team.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video