Victims compensation and counselling

If you have been in an abusive relationship you may be eligible to receive monetary compensation and/or free counselling from Victims Services.

To be eligible for compensation, you must have been a victim of an act of violence in NSW. Most of us have a general idea about what an act of violence is, however, some acts of violence, such as stalking or intimidation, may seem less obvious than others.

There are special provisions for people who have been physically or psychologically injured as a result of domestic violence.

Domestic violence can mean an act of violence committed by someone who has been your spouse or de facto partner (this includes same-sex partners); a person you have had an intimate personal relationship with, sexual or otherwise; a person you have lived with in the same household or other residential facility; a person you have been dependent upon on an ongoing basis as a paid or unpaid carer; or a relative.

The maximum amount of compensation that can be awarded to victims for domestic violence is $10,000.

Generally you have two years from the date of the act of violence to make an application for victim’s compensation. Applications may still be lodged out of time if the applicant can establish to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that there is good reason to do so. In practice, this is quite difficult and you should seek legal assistance if you are in this situation.

Victims may also apply for approved counselling to assist them in their recovery from the traumatic effects of domestic violence. Counselling is available to all victims of acts of violence, even if they are not eligible to receive compensation.

Victims Compensation and Counselling are separate from criminal charges against an offender, and may be available even if the offender isn’t caught, isn’t charged, or is charged but found not guilty.

For more information, go to the Victims Services website or contact Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063.

If you have been in an abusive relationship and would like legal assistance contact the Safe Relationships Project at the Inner City Legal Centre www.iclc.org.au/srp 02 9332 1966 or 1800 244 481. In some cases, ICLC can provide legal advice or assistance to people making victims’ compensation claims.

INFO: Kate Duffy is the Project Officer of the Safe Relationships Project and a solicitor at the Inner City Legal Centre.