From July 1, VictimConnect provides the state-wide victim counselling and support service, transitioning from the current providers, including services provided under the Victim Counselling and Support Service (VCSS) at Relationships Australia Queensland. As a person recently or currently receiving counselling and support, we would like to let you know about our service.
VictimConnect provides counselling and case management services to people impacted by violent crime across Queensland. As a person who has been impacted by violent crime in Queensland, you can contact us at any time to access further, free support.
We recognise that change such as this can be unsettling so we will work with you to make this as smooth as possible.
You can be confident that your journey with any provider will remain fully confidential and will not be shared with our service unless you provide consent directly to that service. We can help you with this process.
VictimConnect is a 24/7 service that supports people who have been impacted by a violent crime in Queensland. VictimConnect has three services that work together and can be accessed when, and if you need them. They are Response and Connection, Case Management, and Counselling.
VictimConnect understand the experiences and impacts of crime are very personal and can be prompted by many things including court dates, media and memorials. People can contact VictimConnect days, months, or years after experiencing a violent crime in Queensland and can access any element of the program they choose. Find out more below.
Response and Connection
Our helpline is a 24-hour service providing information, advice, referral, and support to people who have been impacted by violent crime, their family, and friends. It is also one of the front doors to specialised services that work with men who are victims of sexual assault, victims of crime who have intellectual or learning disabilities, homicide support and recovery, and people who are going through intensive court processes, including children.
Case Management
Our case management service provides a range of support from assisting with the practical impact of crime, like related medical, security, financial, court and personal impacts as well as referral to specialist services and programs. This can include completing victim impact statements to assist in court, and financial assistance applications through Victim Assist Queensland. Your case manager will work alongside you in establishing what you need on your journey and how we can work with you. Your case manager will also help with strategies to manage stress and respond to emotions. Our case management service can be accessed right across Queensland, with case managers in a number of major centres offering in-person support. We also offer virtual support which is available anywhere. VictimConnect provides case management in partnership with 54 Reasons.
Counselling
Our counselling service provides focused, specialised, multi-session therapeutic counselling. Over several sessions, your dedicated and skilled counsellor will help you with the emotional and personal impacts of violent crime. This virtual service can be accessed anywhere. Your counsellor will work with you on a plan to support your healing, using trauma-informed therapies that are focused on you.
People who have accessed Victim Counselling and Support Services prior to July 1
VictimConnect is the provider of state-funded, free counselling and support to victims of violent crime in Queensland from 1 July, 2022. If you have worked with an organisation previously providing this service, you remain eligible to access VictimConnect. VictimConnect provides therapeutic counselling and practical case management, similar to what other services have offered, but there are some small differences. Please see ‘About This Service’.
Personal Information
Your personal information remains confidential between you and the organisation that provided you service prior to 1 July, 2022. You have the right to seek access to your personal information from any relevant organisation. If you wish to do this, you can contact your previous provider directly for assistance to do this. VictimConnect can help you with this process. VictimConnect will not have access to any of your personal information unless you provide it to us, or unless you provide another agency explicit direction, such as a referral.
Criminal Justice Documents
Various documents such as Victim Impact Statements and Financial Assistance Applications to Victim Assist Queensland can play important, formal roles across your journey with the criminal justice system. It can be helpful to make sure you have copies of these documents. If copies of these documents have been provided to other organisations, they form part of your Personal Information and will not be provided to VictimConnect. If you need access to these documents, you can contact your previous provider to request them. VictimConnect can help you with this process.
Previous Case Management and Counselling
Any work done with your previous provider will remain confidential between that organisation and you. VictimConnect has skilled, qualified, and experienced practitioners who can work with you on your next steps. You are in charge of your story and your journey, and we will meet you where you are at. However, if some part of your journey with a previous provider is important, we can work with you on how you can access this.
VictimConnect is provided in partnership with DVConnect and 54 Reasons.
