Queensland-Crime Victim and Domestic Violence Resources

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Links to Advocates and Crime Victim Resources. Also Domestic and Family Violence Resources

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A guide for victims of crime in Queensland

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Queensland Public Advocate
The role of the Public Advocate is systemic advocacy which promotes and protects the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity. The Public Advocate does not deal with individual cases.
The Public Advocate may do all things necessary and convenient for the performance of her functions and may, with leave, intervene in a proceeding involving the protection of the rights or interests of the adults in a court, tribunal, or official inquiry.
The functions include:
•promoting and protecting the rights of groups of adults with impaired decision-making capacity
•promoting the protection of the adults from neglect, exploitation or abuse
•encouraging the development of programs that foster and maximise the adult's autonomy
•promoting service and facility provision for the adults
•monitoring and reviewing service and facility delivery to the adults
•identifying issues in the systems that impact on adults, and works towards influencing appropriate change
•conducting systemic advocacy through a variety of advocacy strategies including discussions, correspondence, committee representation, submissions, discussion and issues papers, forums and conferences.

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Queensland Domestic Violence Protection Orders
What is a Protection Order?
Protection orders seek to prevent further violence from occurring rather than dealing with previous violence by way of punishment. Protection orders come under civil law with the potential for criminal action if there is a breach of a protection order.
Who does the Act cover?
The act covers:
People who are or have been legally married

People who are or have been living together in a de facto relationship whether they be of the same or opposite sex

People who are the biological parents of a child (whether or not they have lived together).

Under the Domestic Violence (Family Protection) Act, the victim is know as the “aggrieved spouse” and the perpetrator of the violence is the “respondent spouse”. Relatives and associates of the abused Woman, including children, family friends and workmates who have been threatened, abused or harassed may also be protected. These people are known as “associates” and may be included under the Woman’s protection order if they have experienced “associated domestic violence”.
What behaviour is covered? More...

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Queensland Victim Rights and Complaints
Victims LinkUp
Information on Victim Assist Queensland and referral to support services for victims of crime.
Call: 1300 LINKUP begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1300 LINKUP end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1300 546 587 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1300 546 587 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (not including public holidays).
Email: victimslinkup@justice.qld.gov.au
People from a non-English speaking background requiring an interpreter or translator call 131 450, 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (not including public holidays).

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Child Safety
The Child Safety Unit's role is to:
•Provide the Director-General with strategic advice on child safety issues as they impact on the Department
•Contribute to whole-of-government and whole-of-system promotion of child safety
•Work with other government departments to implement the CMC recommendations and child safety reforms
•Support the delivery of child protections in partnership with key agencies, particularly the non-government sector and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
•Increase awareness within the Department of the rights of children and their needs within the criminal justice system
•Develop a framework for the Department's responses to child safety issues
•Liaise with Queensland Police Service (QPS) to monitor the Child Protection Offender Register
•The Unit will achieve this by encouraging a collaborative approach across the Department, and by partnering with other government departments involved in child safety.
•What does it mean for Queensland Corrective Services staff?
•Amendments to the Child Protection Act allow for:
◦the sharing of information amongst parties involved in case planning for purposes directly related to a child's welfare or protection
◦mandatory reporting for registered nurses; and
◦Department of Child Safety may request QCS provide a service to a member of the child's family, to help meet the child's protection and care needs.

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Victim Assist Queensland
Victim Assist Queensland is the new assistance scheme for victims of crime in Queensland. Victim Assist commenced on 1 December 2009, and replaced the current criminal compensation schemes of Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995 (COVA) and the Criminal Code 1899 (the Code).
Victim Assist Queensland focuses on victim recovery by paying for, or reimbursing the costs of goods and services that a victim requires to help them recover from the physical and psychological effects of a crime. Victim Assist Queensland aims to provide a tailored, needs-based response, focusing on financial assistance and support for victims rather than just criminal compensation.
More...

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Domestic Violence Resource Centre

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The Queensland Homicide Victim's Support Group, (QHVSG) has a Reference Book they give each family that comes to them for help.

http://qhvsg.org.au/

More info about the book...

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2...612_afternoons