Review of the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme – Projects Assisting Victims’ Experience and Recovery (Paver) Review
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2021 THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY PAPER FOR TABLING REVIEW OF THE VICTIMS OF CRIME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME – PROJECTS ASSISTING VICTIMS’ EXPERIENCE AND RECOVERY (PAVER) REVIEW Presented by Tara Cheyne MLA Minister for Human Rights THIS PAGE TO REMAIN BLANK Projects Assisting Victims’ Experience and Recovery (PAVER) Review Final Report Dr Robyn Holder, Professor Lorana Bartels, Dr Helen Taylor and Kandie Allen-Kelly February 2021 We acknowledge and celebrate the First Australians on whose traditional lands we meet, and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging. PAVER REVIEW FINAL REPORT February 2021 1 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... x Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ xiii RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Review ........................................................................................................... 1 Review Objectives and Criteria .......................................................................................... 2 Approach to the Review ........................................................................................................ 4 Layout of the Final Report ..................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF RESPONSES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME ................. 6 A Brief Historical Overview .................................................................................................... 6 Models of Victim Support ...................................................................................................... 7 Crimes Compensation/Financial Assistance to Victims: The Policy Evolution in Australia ... 9 Criticism and Reforms of Early Schemes ......................................................................... 10 Reforms to State-based Payment Schemes ..................................................................... 10 Breaking the ‘Compensation’ Nexus ................................................................................ 15 Implementing Victim Support Services ................................................................................ 15 CHAPTER 3: REVIEW METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................... 17 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 17 Review Participants .............................................................................................................. 17 Review Methodology ........................................................................................................... 18 Research Instruments .......................................................................................................... 20 A Trauma-Informed Research Approach ............................................................................. 21 Key Principles ................................................................................................................... 22 Additional Review Methods ................................................................................................. 22 NOTE ON SERVICE USE DATA IN THIS REPORT ................................................................ 23 CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS OF COMPARATIVE LEGISLATION IN AUSTRALIA .................................. 24 Comparison with Current Relevant Financial Assistance Schemes in Australia .................. 24 Eligible Applicants ............................................................................................................ 24 Eligibility Evidentiary Requirements ................................................................................ 25 ii Evidentiary Standards ...................................................................................................... 25 Exclusions ......................................................................................................................... 26 Time Limits for Applications ............................................................................................ 27 Types of Claims or Payments ........................................................................................... 28 Amounts Payable ............................................................................................................. 29 Administration of Schemes .................................................................................................. 29 Challenges Related to Scheme Administration ............................................................... 30 Some Concluding Observations ........................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER 5: DATA ON VICTIMS OF CRIME IN THE ACT ............................................................ 37 Victimisation in Australia and the ACT ................................................................................ 37 Crime Reported to ACT Policing ........................................................................................... 38 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 45 CHAPTER 6: VSACT’S RESPONSE TO CRIME VICTIMS IN THE ACT............................................ 46 Victim Support ACT .............................................................................................................. 46 Referral and Intake .......................................................................................................... 47 Intake, Allocation and Assessment .................................................................................. 48 Service Provision and Coordination ................................................................................. 50 Specialist Victim Support Programs ................................................................................. 52 Volunteer Program .......................................................................................................... 53 Approved Service Providers ............................................................................................. 54 Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) .................................................................................. 56 Client Communications .................................................................................................... 58 Resourcing and Caseloads ................................................................................................... 58 Integration of Service Activities ........................................................................................... 60 Similar Challenges in Other Service Sectors ........................................................................ 60 Packages and Markets ..................................................................................................... 60 Client Choice and Control ................................................................................................ 62 Models and Cases ............................................................................................................ 64 Co-designing an Integrated Service ................................................................................. 65 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................................ 67 CHAPTER 7: OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF VSACT’s FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND VICTIMS SERVICES SCHEMES .................................................................................................................. 69 iii The Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 1983 (ACT) ............................................... 69 Implementing the New FAS ................................................................................................. 70 Staffing the New FAS........................................................................................................ 71 Statistical Information on Scheme’s Operation ................................................................... 71 Applications.......................................................................................................................... 72 Applicants’ Personal Characteristics ................................................................................ 75 Applications Disqualified ..................................................................................................... 76 Payments Made, Number and Amounts ............................................................................. 78 Number of Payments Made ............................................................................................