Victim Assist Queensland Local Victim Coordination Program Agency assistance Victim Assist Queensland (Victim Assist) provides the Local Victim Coordination Program to assist victims of violent crime, and their support agencies, when they go through the criminal justice system and apply for financial assistance in Queensland. Have your clients been injured by an act of violence? Victim Assist can put you and your clients in contact with support services (e.g. counselling), and help your clients to apply for financial assistance if they have been injured during a violent crime in Queensland. Injuries can be physical (e.g. harm to the body) or they can be psychological (e.g. emotional harm or mental illness). Financial assistance can help cover costs that may assist your client’s recovery including medical, dental, counselling, travel expenses, loss of earnings and funeral expenses. Are your clients going to court? Clients, or their family, who need to attend court regarding a violent crime and want information about the court process or need help understanding legal terms, can get assistance from Victim Assist. Victim Coordination Officers are located in the Cairns, Rockhampton and Ipswich courthouses. A Local LinkUp Information Officer is located in the Townsville courthouse. These officers can help your clients by: providing them with information about the court process including potential timeframes and expectations referring them to specialist agencies that can provide practical court support, assistance in writing a Victim Impact Statement and counselling assisting your clients to complete an application for financial assistance. Victim Coordination Officers may also provide intensive support to your clients if they are experiencing difficult circumstances or have complex needs and there are no local agencies available to provide that support. This support may include: supporting your clients through a court matter which can include accompanying clients to court and court related meetings assisting your clients to prepare a Victim Impact Statement. You can contact a program officer for information on how to refer a client to the program. Agency support and training The Local Victim Coordination Program can assist you and your agency when providing services to victims of violent crime who need to go to court. Victim Coordination Officers can support your agency’s service by: Providing free training on: - court processes - how you can provide court support - how you can assist a client in preparing a Victim Impact Statement - how you can assist clients to complete a Victim Assist financial application form. Providing you with information and resources that may assist you and your client for their individual matter. Conducting local court stakeholder meetings to support victim sector networking, information sharing and referral pathways. Promoting the Fundamental Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime in Queensland. Program locations Officers are located in the Cairns, Ipswich, Rockhampton and Townsville courthouses. You can phone or email Victim Assist for information on other court support services available in Queensland if your client is attending court at a courthouse outside these areas. Cairns Rockhampton Victim Coordination Officer Victim Coordination Officer Cairns Courthouse Rockhampton Courthouse Ground Floor First floor 5D Sheridan Street Cnr East and Fitzroy Streets Cairns Qld 4870 Rockhampton Qld 4700 Ipswich Townsville Victim Coordination Officer Local LinkUp Officer Ipswich Courthouse Registry Magistrates Court Registry 43 Ellenborough Street 31 Walker Street Ipswich Qld 4305 Townsville Qld 4810 Brisbane Principal Program Officer 154 Melbourne Street South Brisbane Qld 4001 Contact us You can contact the Victim Coordination Officers or Local LinkUp Officer by phone or email. Call 1300 546 587 (8.30am to 5pm Monday – Friday) and ask to speak to the appropriate officer (refer to their position title and location), or email [email protected]. If you email, include your location, contact details, and which officer you would like to contact you. Contact Victims LinkUp for more information about the program or Victim Assist’s other services. Call 1300 546 587 (8.30am to 5pm Monday – Friday) or email [email protected]. Victim Assist Queensland www.justice.qld.gov.au The material presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government for information only and is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and liability (including liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. © State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2012 Page 2 of 2 .