A Site About Victims for Victims and Service Providers 

Our role is to support victims and others affected by crime and tragedy.

If you are looking for immediate support Contact Us or see Victims Rights and Services

Do you believe that “Justice” for victims is a Human Right?  We do!
Well please note, that in 2009, no such right exists in Australia.

VOCAL, a registered charity has been fighting for that right and much more by addressing the complex needs of victims of crime for more than 20 years. We exist because the very people directly harmed by violent and heinous crime are still often overlooked when justice, services and rehabilitation from crime’s terrible impacts are the goals.  

Largely our clients are ordinary people - confused and unskilled victims and grieving relatives who have been forced into this plight by someone’s cruel, illegal or negligent acts - a plight that can have many unforeseen and even life-long impacts as we try to live after crime.

We support men, women and children. Any crime of violence, any stage. For as long as it takes.

Did you know that victims of violent crime are not entitled to legal representation in a criminal matter?  That they are not parties to the proceedings, and so have no rights or power?

Being a victim of crime or a tragedy - like losing a loved one in a criminal road death -changes everything. Once safety and certainty are gone, humans find coping difficult and all that good help out there that one assumes exists’ can be hard to find.  Our role is to assist people to get what they need to move from victim, to survivor, to learn how to thrive and perhaps to eventually become inspirational to others, because of the challenges they have met and the knowledge they have gained. We do our very best to inspire and empower others. Like life coaches!

Our clients are unique individuals who have had a unique experience, and will need to negotiate their way through ‘life after crime’ in ways that are also unique. 

Our job is to support them with wisdom, kindness, information and respect for them. 

Some of the things people seek are: someone who will hear and not judge them,  reassurance, validation, honest direction, accurate information and support to get counselling, compensation, court preparation and support, advocacy and relief from secondary victimisation.  They want to learn what we can teach them about understanding the impact and how to cope with the processes and consequences of crime, to help them to get assistance and support in reporting to police, and managing the criminal investigation processes effectively.  They learn how to get support from others, about victims’ rights, explanation of their place, role and limitations in legal processes of all types.  They need referrals to places that may help, and coping skills and more support when they don’t.  Clients will deal with immense grief and loss issues, dealing with the media, lawyers, the judiciary, bureaucrats and many other crime-related challenges. 

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 all learned ‘the hard way’ that you just can’t really know - what it’s REALLY like to be a victim of violent crime in today’s world, until it happens to you or to someone you love! 

That’s why we joined VOCAL.  Because out of death and damage comes new life work.  There remains much to be achieved.

Our service is absolutely free - our survival, and our ability to provide support, saving and changing lives, relies on community support. 

Help us to help others and Donate Now