1.4 Impact of Crimes

Question 1

What is a victim?

Answer 1

Someone who has suffered injury as a direct result of a criminal offence. According to The Victims Charter Act 2006 (Vic) the following are considered victims of crime:
-Family member of a deceased person
-A family member of a person under 18 who has suffered injury
-A family member of someone with a mental impairment who has suffered injury

Question 2

Can a witness be a victim?

Answer 2

A witness of sexual offences, family violence or obscene, indecent and threatening behaviour in public can be considered a victim

Question 3

What is The Victims’ Charter Act 2006 (Vic)

Answer 3

The Victims Charter Act 2006 (Vic) sets out how the criminal justice system should best respond to victims of crime. The courts are empowered by the act to consider the impact of a criminal offence on a victim

Question 4

What are the impacts on victims of crime

Answer 4

-Physical & Psychological
-Lifestyle impacts
-Financial impacts

Question 5

What are the physical and psychological impacts of crime?

Answer 5

-Anxiety
-Physical injuries
-Permanent disability or disfigurement
-Sleeplessness and eating disorders
-Exposure to STI or unwanted pregnancies for sexual assault victims
-Guilt and self-blame

Question 6

What are the Lifestyle impacts for victims of crime?

Answer 6

-Concerns about personal safety
-Social withdrawal
-Concerns about being trusted
-Increased feelings of vulnerability
-Persistent avoidance of things associated with the traumatic events

Question 7

What are the Financial impacts for victims of crime?

Answer 7

-Medical bills
-Rental costs
-Occupational therapy
-Job retraining
-Mental health counselling and therapy
-Lost wages
-Legal costs