Who is a victim?

There are different types of victims of crimes.

• Primary victims are those who are directly injured by the crime (for example you were assaulted while at a shopping centre)
• Secondary victims are those who are injured because of witnessing a crime (for example developing anxiety after seeing an assault)
• Parent secondary victims are parents who have been injured as a result from violence against their child (for example the parent becomes depressed)
• A related victim is a close family member of a primary victim who has died, so they suffer an injury (for example the son of a father who is murdered suffers a trauma related injury).

Can I get compensation?

If you are a victim and have experienced harm, then you may be able to get a payment from the government. One way is through the Victims Assist Program. This program assists victims of certain offences. For more information on whether you can apply, it is best to speak to a lawyer or call Legal Aid Queensland for free legal advice on 1300 651 188.

For victims under the age of 18, you will have 3 years after the day you turn 18 to make an application for compensation.

There may be other options for compensation. Please refer to one of the legal agencies listed under ‘Who can I contact?’

Survivors of sexual assault

Sexual assault is against the law. It includes rape and incest - having sex with a relative including step, adopted or foster siblings as well as touching or kissing someone without their consent. You have the right to feel safe and protected. Seeking support can be difficult but getting information from someone you trust may help you decide what you would like to do.

What happens if I tell someone?

It is your choice whether to tell someone what has happened to you. You do not have to report a sexual assault to the police BUT there is a law which says that if an adult believes you have been the victim of a sexual offence (like a sexual assault or rape) then the adult must tell the police (They also have to do this if you have a conversation with any adult and tell them about sexual activity you have had while you were under 16 with another adult (someone 18 or older) even if you agreed).

If you tell a person from Child Safety Services or the police about the sexual assault then they must investigate it.  If you are under 18, need medical treatment and a doctor believes you have been sexually assaulted, then they must tell the police or Child Safety Services. Any medical report may be important later to support your story if the matter goes to court. You do not have to answer questions or give any information to anyone if you do not want to. A doctor cannot refuse to treat you because you do not give full details of what happened and who was involved.

It is important to look after yourself by seeing a doctor as soon as possible for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and your general health.

If a teacher reasonably believes a child at the school has been sexually abused by another person, they must report it to the principal who must report it to the police. If the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is told about abuse they must report it to the Department of Child Safety and the police.

It is important to check that whoever you talk to (youth worker or friend) respects your right to decide whether to report your assault to the police or Child Safety Services.  Call one of the agencies under ‘Who can I contact for support?’ if you are unsure who to trust.

What happens if a sexual assault is reported?

Before you report a sexual assault you can contact one of the agencies under ‘Who can I contact for support?’.

The steps below give you an idea of what happens if a sexual assault is reported to the police or Child Safety:

• You make a complaint/ask for help
• You are interviewed by police (usually videoed) or a Child Safety officer
• Police gather other evidence (for example, medical report, other witnesses). The police or Child Safety may ask you to undergo a medical examination
• The person you say assaulted you is interviewed by police (the person can refuse to be interviewed)
• Police or Child Safety Services make a decision about what should happen next:
  • if the police believe there is enough evidence to show that the person has broken the law, the person is charged and is taken to court
  • if Child Safety Services believes you are not being cared for or you are not safe from further harm they may take out a Child Protection Order (which means that Child Safety Services may become your guardian and make decisions about you).

Reporting a sexual assault can be difficult as it will mean you will have to talk about what has happened to you in detail to people you do not know. You will need to think about what going to court will mean for you. It is important to know your rights. If you report the assault, you may not be able to control what happens and decisions may be taken out of your hands.

Do I have to have a medical examination?

NO. But sometimes the police may want you to have a medical examination, to gather evidence for the case. This is your decision. If you say no, the police may not be able to take the offender to court because there may not be enough evidence.

A court can order a medical examination if Child Safety is assessing whether you are at risk of further harm and a Child Protection Order should be taken out. You should get your own legal advice if this is happening to you.

What happens if I change my mind?

If you change your mind about going to court you can ask the police for a ‘Withdrawal of Complaint’ form. This form should be completed as soon as possible. It is a police decision whether to drop your case. This may depend on a few things such as whether they have completed their investigations into your case and have found enough evidence to continue to court. The police will not necessarily drop the case because you no longer want to go to court.  If you change your mind it is a good idea to contact one of the agencies under ‘Who can help?’ to support you in telling the police your decision.

What about court?

If the police decide that there is enough evidence, the case will be taken to court. If the case is not taken to court, it is because the police do not have enough evidence. This does not necessarily mean that the police do not believe you.

Will I have to be a witness at court?

If you are the victim and the alleged offender (defendant) says they are not guilty, it is very likely that you will have to give evidence to a court. If you are under 16 your statement will be recorded on video. This will be used as your evidence at the committal (the initial court proceedings). It will also be used as your evidence at the trial. The lawyer for the defendant can still ask you questions at a pre-trial hearing (the pre-recording), however there are rules about the type of questions that they can ask. It is also possible to give evidence through an audio-visual link and not actually be in the court room. If this option is not available then you are entitled to give evidence from behind a screen so you do not have to see the defendant.

Being a witness can be difficult because you have to say what happened to you and answer questions from the alleged offender's lawyer. Court can take a long time and the offender may be found not guilty. This does not necessarily mean that the court did not believe you.

Will I need to prepare a victim impact statement?

You may need to consider preparing a victim impact statement. A victim impact statement is where you can explain how the crime has affected you (for example the physical, emotional and financial impacts of the crime). It is a written statement that can include things like a medical report or letter from your counsellor. Sometimes the court may want to ask you questions about anything you have included in your victim impact statement. Often other people affected by the crime, such as your parents, are also able to submit a victim impact statement. The court can then consider the information in your statement when sentencing of the offender.