Review of the Victims’ Charter Act

What is the Victims’ Charter? 

The Victims’ Charter is a law in Victoria that outlines 17 important principles. These principles guide how justice agencies and victims’ services should treat people who have been victims of crime. In simple terms, they require agencies and services to:

• Treat victims with courtesy, dignity and respect and be responsive to victims’ particular needs.
• Communicate with victims in a way that recognises their preferences and needs.
• Provide victims with information about services, entitlements and assistance.
• Provide victims with information about justice processes.
• Help victims participate in some justice processes.
• Help victims stay safe in court and protect victims’ personal information and property.
• Respond to complaints from victims who believe an agency has breached the Victims’ Charter.

You can watch a video about the Victims’ Charter here.

Why is the Victims’ Charter being reviewed?

The law requires the Commissioner to check how well the Victims’ Charter is working and report back to the Government by 7 September 2025. This Review was recommended by the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) in a 2016 report about how victims are treated in court. You can read that report here.

What will the review cover? 

The Review will look at: 

• How well victims understand the Victims’ Charter.
• Whether victims think the Charter is effective.
• How well the Charter helps ensure that victims’ rights are respected.
• The success of any changes made to the Victims’ Charter since it was created in 2006.
• Whether any further changes to the Charter are needed, including:
• Whether victims should have new or different rights.
• What should occur if an agency does not follow the principles of the Charter.

You can find the full details of the review here.  

Victims’ Charter Review Consultation Paper 

The Commissioner has released a Consultation Paper, which you can read here. This paper outlines key issues that need to be considered and invites feedback from victims of crime, justice agencies and victims’ services.

How can I be involved? 

There are several ways you can contribute to the Victims’ Charter Review:

1. Complete the Victims' Survey (closes 31 March 2025)
   If you have been a victim of crime, you can share your experience through a dedicated survey. More details about the survey can be found here. An Easy English version of the survey is also available here and information about the survey can be found here. 

2. Make a written submission (closes 17 January 2025)
   You can write your thoughts on the Consultation Paper and email your feedback to policy@vocc.vic.gov.au. Your response will not be published. More about how your submission will be used can be found in the Consultation Paper.

3. Register for updates:
   If you want to stay informed about the project or participate in consultation activities, you can email policy@vocc.vic.gov.au

Timeline 

Contact information:

If you have questions about the Review:
Email: policy@vocc.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0419 969 110

If you are a victim of crime and need more information or assistance with participation:
Email: engagement@vocc.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0439 483 393