Victim Support

Having a crime committed against one is probably the most traumatic experiences a person can go through in their entire life. If you have been a victim yourself or have even been close to someone who has been a victim, you will be able to appreciate how hard it can be to come out of the gloom and despondency that seems to engulf one after a crime, especially a violent one. Fortunately, there are today, a number of groups and organizations that are there to support and care for victims of crime.

There are a number of support groups available in Australia today that specialize in taking care of and providing all kinds of support for the victims of crimes. Groups such as the Victim Support Service Inc. (VSS) provide a range of services which include the following -

Information

Victims' rights
Victims of Crime Compensation
Support services
The impact of crime
Being a witness in court

Support

Inquiry line
Court Companion and preparation service
Therapeutic and support groups
Assistance with preparation of Victim Impact Statements

Counseling

Professional counseling to address impact of crime
Services for those affected by homicide

Advocacy

On behalf of crime victims
For reforms to the criminal justice system
Representation and participation on a broad range of South Australian and national networks

Consultancy and Training

Consultancy services for employers and service providers
Seminars on the criminal justice system
A broad range of training programs

Community Safety and Crime Prevention

Information about the risks of crime and methods to improve safety
Victim Awareness programs with offenders

Community Education and Development

Presentations to community groups

Victim Support Service Inc. (VSS) is a community based, not-for-profit organization operating from eight offices across South Australia. Qualified professional staff provide a comprehensive range of services for people who have suffered as a result of a criminal offense. This includes individual crime victims, their families, friends and the wider community. Victim Support Service provides a professional, personal counseling service for adults who have been affected by a criminal act. This free and confidential service is offered during office hours, Monday to Friday and is provided by professionally qualified social workers and psychologists. A person seeking a service may contact the organisation where a receptionist will record contact details and arrange for the duty worker to call you back. A victim does not need to have reported a crime to access their service. To know more about Victim Support Service, the services provided by them and how they help victims of crime.