A Charity for Victims of Crime & Tragedy, and for those who want to serve them better.

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Our real aim: “Justice” ought to apply equally and fairly to victims of crime and to those accused. In 2011, no such balance exists in Australia. “Justice” for victims is a myth.

We support men, women and children. Any threat, and any crime of violence for which they need support, at any stage. Our clients are unique individuals who have had a unique and personal experience or experiences, and who will have tried to, and will need to negotiate their particular way through ‘life after crime’ in ways that are very personal and unique.

Did you know that victims of violent crime and grieving families after murder are simply not entitled to legal representation in a criminal matter?
That they are not parties to the proceedings, and so have no rights or power?
What that actually means to victims if a case proceeds?

Supporting the often complex, often unmet, needs of victims of crime and tragedy since 1989, VOCAL has seen the welcome growth of the victim industry in Australia and Overseas.  We hope to be able to provide support for as long as victimized people continue to fall through the many gaps in systems, strategies, laws, services and processes they must negotiate, often while completely or partially traumatized, disabled, disfigured, grieving, alone and vulnerable.
 
Our function and role:  To provide positive support to people who have been threatened, been victims of any violent crime or similar tragedy, (like criminal road crashes),  their families and friends, witnesses, and to support other service providers, students and the community.  Like a kind of life coach might do, we guide people through often complex pathways that can take victims and others into any government agency, legal process, educational or workplace impact, financial complications, relationship issue, VOCAL treats each person as the individual they are, their challenges with the respect they deserve,  and support them to achieve getting their needs met or finding strategies that can help.

Knowledge:  Since no one trains to be a victim of crime or tragedy, people usually make for unskilled victims or grieving relatives if a violent crime occurs. Learning after an event is too late.  Forced into their plight by someone’s cruel, illegal or negligent acts – at often the most difficult time of their lives they are thrust into a system which focuses legally on the rights of an accused and denies victims the same right to legal support.  The scales of justice can be weighed against a victim from the start. That’s if the crime is even reported quickly enough, or at all.  If the police can or will act, if the crime is even recognised by the victim – for example it is extremely common for children being sexually abused and Domestic Violence victims to not recognise behaviours which are criminal.

VOCAL focuses on the person, understanding that it is the threat, the crime or the tragedy that makes a person into the victim, not whether the system responds, or how it responds, although how each part responds can certainly help, or make things worse.
Our pathway: Victim – Survivor – Thriver – Inspirer. Once safety and certainty are interrupted or gone, people can find coping with life very difficult.“All that good help out there that one assumes exists” can actually be hard to find in the complications that arise in a real case. 

We assist people to get what they need, support them to move from being that disempowered victim, to become a survivor, to learn how to thrive despite the challenges. Then, perhaps because of those challenges, to eventually become inspirational to others.

Our job is to support them with wisdom, kindness, information and respect for them. No judgmental attitude. Honest direction, accurate information and support to apply for entitlements like counselling, compensation, court preparation and support, advocacy and relief from secondary victimisation.  Coping strategies, knowledge about the legal and other systems. Liaise with police matters, helping clients to understand criminal investigation processes and their role. Referrals to places that may help,  and provide more support when they don’t.  Grief and loss issues, dealing with the media, lawyers, the judiciary, bureaucrats etc.
 
We are committed to helping today’s victims get the assistance and information that they need.  We never stop lobbying for positive, victim-focused approach in responses to victims of crime by society’s services and legal systems.  We learned ‘the hard way’ that you just can’t really know – what it’s REALLY like to be a victim of violent crime or tragedy in today’s world, until it happens to you or to someone you love!

Our service is absolutely free to clients thanks to partial funding as a non-government agency to provide support to Victims of Crime in the Hunter, from the NSW Department of Attorney General & Justice.  However our survival, and our ability to provide support, saving and changing lives to people in need across the state and the country relies on community support.
 
In a nutshell, that’s why we joined VOCAL.  Will you support us so we can support others?

Help us to help others and Join and/or Donate Now