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Counselling

While it is important for victims of crime to seek help from family and friends, in times of crisis and distress further help is often needed.

If you are affected by crime, professional counselling can give you a chance to speak freely about your concerns in a confidential setting. Trained professionals can help you manage the effects of crime and help you to feel more in charge of your life.

There are a number of ways for finding appropriate counselling. To find out more and to discuss your options, call the Victims of Crime Helpline.

Crisis and short-term

Some victims of crime are eligible for free short-term counselling (up to five one-hour sessions) through the Victims Assistance and Counselling Program. To be eligible, you must be:

• a primary victim of a violent crime (in Victoria in the past 2 years, reported to the police)
• a related victim in the case of a homicide (in Victoria, in the past 2 years, reported to the police)
• a victim of domestic violence who has been granted an intervention order by a Victorian Court within the past 2 years.

Longer term

If you require assistance to pay for longer-term counselling, you can apply to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT). Victims of Crime Helpline staff and Victims Assistance and Counselling Program workers can help you to prepare your application.

For VOCAT assistance for counselling after violent crime, it must have happened in Victoria, must be punishable on conviction by imprisonment, and must have directly resulted in injury or death to one or more people.