The following legal options are available for victims of crime.
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal: provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime to help cover expenses incurred as a direct result of that crime (e.g. lost earnings, the cost of long-term counselling, medical and funeral expenses) – see “Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal”.
• Civil proceedings: a victim can issue a civil claim for damages against the offender – see “Civil claims for damages”.
• Compensation under the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic): a victim can seek compensation from the offender for pain and suffering; the court can also order the offender to pay the victim’s counselling, medical and other expenses – see “Compensation under the Sentencing Act”.