Since we first opened 50 years ago, we have stood alongside victims of crime, ensuring they have access to legal support, financial assistance, and advocacy to rebuild their lives. In that time, we’ve worked alongside support services, fought for systemic reforms and learned a lot about how our legal system can better serve victims of crime.
In 1995, we launched our Integrated Services for Survivor Advocacy (ISSA) program. For 30 years now, we’ve worked with the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SECASA) to run this groundbreaking health-justice partnership. Together, we’ve helped thousands of victims of sexual assault and family violence access financial assistance, as well as social work support, as they recover and rebuild their lives.
Here’s what five decades of advocacy have taught us about what victim-survivors need.
1. Financial aid plays a huge role in recovering from trauma
The harm caused by crime doesn’t end when the immediate danger is over. Many victim-survivors need financial support for medical expenses, therapy, and practical needs like replacing locks or taking time off work to recover. Even small amounts of financial assistance can make a significant difference.
One of our clients, Samantha*, endured years of abuse before seeking legal help. Through our advocacy, she was awarded $35,000 in financial assistance. That money allowed her to access therapy, continue her education, and start rebuilding her life. A fair financial assistance system ensures survivors have the means to recover—not just survive.
For many of our clients, this compensation is the one point at which they see justice in action. For many victims of crimes, justice isn’t about courts and convictions. It’s about having a fair chance at moving forward and building better lives.
2. We need to take a trauma-informed approach to providing help
Many victim-survivors struggle with PTSD and anxiety, making it difficult to navigate legal systems. Sometimes, the legal processes themselves can be retraumatising. A trauma-informed approach recognises the burden survivors carry and reduces unnecessary barriers for those seeking safety. Cameron’s* experience highlights just how impactful this approach can be.
Cameron’s husband had cut her off from friends and family, leaving her without a support network. After three years of violence and abuse, she found the courage to seek protection from the police. But even with a full intervention order, she still didn’t feel safe. She wanted to heal—to move house and start counselling—but couldn’t afford to. When she applied for assistance, she had to relive her trauma in graphic detail.
Thankfully, we were able to step in and help. We guided Cameron through the legal process in a way that minimised harm while ensuring she received the outcome she needed. With the right support, Cameron was able to navigate the legal process in a way that minimised harm. Approaching her case through a trauma-informed lens helped transform the experience of giving evidence into a moment of empowerment and healing.
“Without your assistance I would not have been able to move forward and try to heal from my past,” Cameron said. “I will never fully recover and I will always have triggers. However, with today’s outcome I will be able to access some much-needed support to stay safe physically and emotionally.”
Trauma-informed support isn’t just about legal services—it’s about ensuring the entire system doesn’t add to survivors’ distress.
3. Clients need wraparound services, including social work support
For victim-survivors of crime, legal assistance is only one piece of the puzzle. Many people seeking help are also navigating trauma, housing instability, financial insecurity, or mental health challenges. Without wraparound services, even the best legal outcomes can fall short of providing the long-term stability and recovery that survivors need.
That’s why integrated support services—like our Support Connect Integrated Practice (SCIP) Program—are essential. By embedding social work support within legal services, programs like SCIP ensure that people can access practical assistance alongside legal help. This might include safety planning, crisis intervention, mental health referrals, or help accessing financial assistance schemes. For many survivors, having a dedicated social worker alongside a lawyer can make the difference between simply receiving legal advice and actually being able to rebuild their lives.
Community legal centres play a crucial role in bridging gaps in our legal system. If we want a system that truly supports survivors, we need to move beyond siloed services and ensure that people can access the holistic, trauma-informed support they need.
4. Systems need to be designed with victim-survivors at the centre
Another of our clients, Jenny*, found herself disillusioned with the legal system after her private law firm abandoned her during her Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) application. She had experienced severe violence and abuse at the hands of her husband, which had resulted in him serving a significant jail term. Jenny and her daughter found themselves unsupported and lost in a legal system that didn’t take a trauma-informed approach to justice.
Thankfully, we were able to step in and help. We prepared submissions on Jenny’s behalf, and lodged VOCAT applications for her daughter as well, so she could focus on recovering without legal stressors. Afterwards, Jenny said: “I can’t thank you enough for all your support and hard work. You didn’t give up on me when I didn’t have any hope at all. You are amazing.”
The transition from VOCAT to the new Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) was intended to create a more accessible system for people like Jenny. While the shift is promising, many victim-survivors and legal practitioners continue to face challenges, including:
- Technical issues with online systems
- Complex and inaccessible processes
- Limited access to legal representation
For many, navigating these systems without legal support is incredibly difficult. Without this assistance, it could mean survivors can be left without the financial assistance they urgently need, sometimes for months or even years. With community legal centres already stretched to capacity, some survivors may miss out on the help they need to engage with the process effectively.
However, with targeted improvements (such as clearer communication, streamlined processes, and increased access to legal support) FAS has the potential to be an effective resource for victim-survivors rather than an additional barrier. Ensuring the system works as intended will be key to delivering the support and financial assistance that survivors need to rebuild their lives.
5. Some people need additional help accessing legal services
While digital services and online applications have made accessing support easier for some, they don’t work for everyone. Many people, particularly those experiencing language barriers, disabilities, or limited digital literacy, struggle to navigate complex systems without additional help. For these individuals, in-person clinics and face-to-face support remain essential. Having a trusted person guide them through the process can mean the difference between accessing critical assistance and falling through the cracks.
As helpful and even life-changing as new technology can be for many, there will always be a need for traditional, in-person support for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
We’re continuing to advocate for victim-survivors
Access to support should not be a barrier for victim-survivors. At the core of our work is a commitment to ensuring legal services are responsive, accessible, and shaped by the needs of those who rely on them. Systems and processes for victim-survivors have changed a lot over the last half-century, but there is still a long way to go.
Through our work, we’ve learned a lot about providing our community with effective, trauma-informed legal help. We’re committed to standing by victim-survivors and ensuring they get the outcomes they need to heal, recover from trauma and move on with their lives. South-East Monash Legal Service will continue to push for reforms that ensure survivors receive the support they deserve.
