Victorian Current Acts

VICTIMS OF CRIME ASSISTANCE ACT 1996 - SECT 1

    (1)     The purpose of this Act is to provide assistance to victims of crime.

    (2)     The objectives of this Act are—

        (a)     to assist victims of crime to recover from the crime by paying them financial assistance for expenses incurred, or reasonably likely to be incurred, by them as a direct result of the crime; and

        (b)     to pay certain victims of crime financial assistance (including special financial assistance) as a symbolic expression by the State of the community's sympathy and condolence for, and recognition of, significant adverse effects experienced or suffered by them as victims of crime; and

        (c)     to allow victims of crime to have recourse to financial assistance under this Act where compensation for the injury cannot be obtained from the offender or other sources.

    (3)     Awards of financial assistance (including special financial assistance) to victims of crime are not intended to reflect the level of compensation to which victims of crime may be entitled at common law or otherwise.

    (4)     The scheme provided by this Act is intended to complement other services provided by government to victims of crime.