If you or somebody in your family has suffered as a victim of sexual abuse, then financial assistance may be available through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal VOCAT. Applicants may be reimbursed for expenses outlaid or likely to be incurred as a result of the crime, to assist in their recovery. Our lawyers have a sound understanding of VOCAT processes and have represented and assisted many victims to pursue their rights to financial assistance.
Our experienced team will handle your matter with compassion, respect and understanding. We will assess your case to determine your eligibility as a primary victim, a secondary victim or related victim, of an act of violence. A relevant offence includes:. To be eligible for financial assistance through VOCAT, the act of violence must be reported to the police.
Sexual abuse or sexual assault is undesired behaviour of a sexual nature or non-consensual sexual conduct that causes harm, makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated or threatened. The offence may constitute a one-off act or be carried out over several years.
Sexual abuse includes rape, incest, child abuse, sexual offences against cognitively impaired persons, sexual procurement of children, sexual servitude and unwanted sexual behaviour. It can also include conduct that does not involve touching such as forcing somebody to watch pornography. Commonly referred to as predatory behaviour, and an abuse of power, sexual offences may occur in a range of circumstances such as:.
Primary victims against whom certain acts of violence have been committed including certain sexual offences , and who have suffered a significant adverse effect substantial grief, trauma, distress or injury may also receive special financial assistance. If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, then financial assistance may be available through VOCAT, by instigating civil proceedings against the perpetrator, or through an institutional redress scheme.
