Victims of crime

Victoria Police act to protect and support all victims of crime, whether they're victims, witnesses, or a family member. We investigate, offer advice, and connect you to support services who can help.

If you are in immediate danger or it's an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Who is a victim of crime

Victims of crime can include:

Those harmed by, or witnesses to an unlawful act
Family member of an injured person who has suffered emotional distress.

Types of harm

The harm can be:

physical
mental
emotional
financial.

How we support victims of crime

Victims are the centre of our approach. We aim to provide you with the service that works for you.

We have an obligation to treat victims and persons impacted by crime in line with the principles outlined in the Victims Charter Act 2006.

We understand that you might be worried or afraid to report a crime. We can talk to you about how to report a crime without making a formal statement.

If you are upset or anxious about reporting a crime, you can have a trusted person with you for support.

Victims of crime support services and resources

There are a wide range of support services available to victims of crime.

These services offer help with things like:

reporting a crime
your rights, safety and wellbeing
linking you with other suitable support services
explaining the justice process
getting legal advice
preparing a Victim Impact Statement
getting you ready for court
applying for financial help and compensation.

Victims of Crime Helpline is a free telephone service. It provides on-the-spot support and advice to people affected by crime.
The helpline can help you with advice on:
- reporting a crime
- the court process
- applying for compensation and financial help
- other services that can help you.
Contact the Victims of Crime Helpline
You can get in touch with the helpline:
- by calling 1800 819 817 (between 8am-7pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-5pm Sunday and public holidays)
- by texting: 0427 767 891 (sms only) (between 8am-7pm Monday to Friday, and 8am-5pm Sunday and public holidays), or,
- find help in your own language.
Learn more about the Victims of Crime Helpline.
The Victims Assistance Program (VAP) provides free services to victims of crimes against the person.
The services support the victims’ needs based on the trauma they experienced. The program also supports witnesses and affected family members.
The VAP worker will ensure they deliver services in a culturally appropriate way.
Services offered include:
- case management
- practical support, including emergency security
- advocacy
- helping you complete your Victim Impact Statement
- applying for financial compensation
- connecting you to other services such as legal advice, housing and counselling.
Apply for the Victims Assistance Program (VAP)
We can connect you to the program through our referral system.
You will receive support from a VAP worker closest to your local area.
Learn more about the Victims Assistance Program.
The Victoria Police e-Referral System (VPeR) is a support system that allows police to connect you with the services that work best for you.
This system is not used in emergency situations or for victims of family violence.
Connect with the Victoria Police e-Referral (VPeR)
This system is consent-based, meaning we will connect you to suitable support services only if you agree.
The contact steps of VPeR are:
1. You can ask a police officer for a referral to victim services at any time.
2. A support agency will call you shortly after the referral. It may be from a private or unknown phone number.
3. The agency will generally call you at least three times.
4. If you don't receive a call from a support agency within five business days, please contact your police investigator.
Victim Impact Statements tell the court in a victim's own words how they have been affected by crime.
Make a Victim Impact Statement
If someone pleads guilty or is found guilty of a crime, you can choose if you want to tell the court about how the crime has affected you.
The court will take your Victim Impact Statement into account when deciding what penalty to give the offender.
Learn more about how to make a Victim Impact Statement.
Victims of crimes against the person in Victoria can apply to go on the Victorian Victims Register.
This service can provide you with updates about the offenders, such as:
- their sentence
- when they are:
  - released on parole
  - released into the community at end of sentence or
  - placed on a supervision or detention order.
The offenders will not know if you go on the register or get information about them.
You can also get this information if a family member has died because of a crime.
If you wish, you can choose another person (a nominee) to receive this information on your behalf.
Apply for the Victorian Victims Register
Learn who can apply and how to apply for the Victorian Victims Register.
The Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) can help cover costs for victims and surviving family members of violent crime.
The FAS can help with covering:
- funeral costs
- medical costs
- counselling
- safety items
- loss of income
- other costs to help with your recovery.
It will not cover:
- offences related to property damage
- loss or breaches of intervention orders (unless the breach involved a violent act).
Apply for the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
You can apply for the FAS:
- online via their portal
- by calling the FAS General Helpline on 1800 161 136 (between 8:30am–5:30pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays).
The FAS has a dedicated pathway for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of violent crime, the Marra Yattakunar Pathway.
To connect with this pathway, visit the FAS website or call the FAS Marra Yattakunar Helpline on 1800 849 778.
Learn more about the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme and or find help in your own language.
The official Victorian Government service offering free information and support for people affected by crime.
They can help you report a crime, provide information about the court process, or get help to keep you safe.
Find services on the Victims of crime website
The website covers a large amount of information and support services to help victims, including:
- crime, its effects, and how to keep safe
- understanding investigations, charges, and offences
- what to expect when you go to court
- what happens after court, and more.
Find out more on the Victims of Crime website.

How to report a crime

You can report a crime the following ways:

In an emergency call Triple Zero (000) for police, ambulance and fire.
For non-urgent crimes:
- call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444
- make an online report.
Visit your local police station.
Anonymously report to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.

You can also contact Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817 between 8am and 11pm for support and advice.

For more options on reporting crimes, or if you need help getting in touch, visit our Report page.

What to expect once you report a crime

As a victim of crime, we will treat you with courtesy, dignity and respect.

You can expect us to:

explain the investigation process to you in a way you can understand and prefer
inform you of your entitlements and the services available to support you
ask you if you want to stay informed about the progress of your case
ask how you would like us to contact you
recommend and refer you to support services if you need them, and,
provide you with:
- Notice to the Victim (L1 Victoria Police form). It has information about support services and the name of the police officer in charge. It will also contain your report number for future reference.
- A Victim’s Guide to Support Services and the Criminal Justice System (Victim’s Guide).

Your legal rights as a victim of crime

If you are a victim of crime in Victoria, you have legal rights.

The Victims Charter Act 2006 contains guidelines that promote and protect those rights.

The Charter explains how criminal justice agencies should treat victims of crime. It also describes their rights and entitlements.
The Charter recognises the victims have a legitimate interest in the response of the criminal justice system to the crime. It also understands that the victims play a role as participants (but not parties) in criminal proceedings.
The Charter does this by upholding the victim's rights to:
- safety
- privacy
- dignity
- and participation.
All justice agencies, including Victoria Police, must:
- treat victims with courtesy, respect and dignity
- have regard to victims who experience disadvantage
- provide information about services, entitlements and help
- communicate with the victims in a way that recognises their preferences and needs
- protects victims’ personal information.
Victoria Police has specific obligations when communicating with victims of crime. We will:
- keep you informed about the progress of the investigation
- handle your possessions in a way that is lawful, secure and respectful
- return your items as soon as possible.
You might feel that your rights as a victim may not have been respected.
If you believe we have not followed the Victims’ Charter Act 2006, you can lodge a complaint online. You can do it:
- anonymously
- as yourself
- on behalf of another person.

Victims of crime Crime prevention

Updated 24 December 2025