[singlepic id=280 w=240 h=320 float=left]Victims of crime in far north Queensland will have access to more help with the local release of a new guide, Attorney-General Cameron Dick said today.
Mr Dick joined the Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt and the Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall at the regional launch in Cairns today.
“Victim Assist Queensland has been in operation since the 1st of December last year and represents a substantial change in the way victims of crime are supported,” Mr Dick said.
“Victims can now get access to more help sooner, and no longer have to go through costly and lengthy court processes to start their journey on the road to recovery.”
Mr Pitt said the new booklet, A guide for victims of crime in Queensland, would help locals affected by an act of violence to recover more readily and start rebuilding their lives.
“Victim Assist Queensland has developed this user-friendly and easy-to-read guide to help victims recover from emotional and psychological trauma,” Mr Pitt said.
“The guide includes information for victims on how to report a crime as well as the support services that available to victims and their families to help their recovery.
“It also contains information about people’s rights as a victim of crime, going to court as a witness, applying for financial assistance and where to go for counselling and legal support.”
Mr Wettenhall said the new system had proved popular in the Cairns area since it was introduced almost a year ago.
“Almost 260 enquiries have been dealt with by the Victims LinkUp phone service while Victim Assist’s Court Support Service has helped 133 clients,” Mr Wettenhall said.
“Also, 45 applications for financial assistance have been lodged by clients from Cairns.”
Mr Dick said the booklet would help victims recover from the effects of a violent crime and get their lives back on track.
“Everyone has their own way of coping with a traumatic event,” Mr Dick said.
“Violent crimes are not only offences like assault, robbery and murder, they also include sexual assault or abuse, stalking and kidnapping, death caused by dangerous driving and violence in the home.”
The Guide is available online or in hard copy at all public libraries across the state.
If you have been a victim of an act of violence, contact VictimsLinkUp on 1300 546 587 or email victimslinkup@justice.qld.gov.au.
Ceremony to present Murri Court sashes
While in Cairns, Mr Dick also presented ceremonial sashes to the local Murri Court elders and respected persons. Murri Court sash recipients in Cairns were:
- Aunty Bette Gibson
- Uncle Francis Mosby
- Aunty Doreen Cockatoo
- Uncle Charlie Bynoe
- Aunty Yvonne Tranby
- Uncle Tom Brown
- Uncle Rocky Gela
- Aunty Eunice Graham
- Aunty Esther Frost
- Aunty Esther Snider
- Aunty Pat Sebasio
- Uncle Bob Colless
- Renee Colless.
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