Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 - SECT 1

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

Purpose and objectives of Act

1. Purpose and objectives of Act



(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.