"Victim-survivors" of crime will find it harder to access entitlements and could be re-traumatised under changes by a state government agency, a domestic violence unit has warned.
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The NSW Department of Communities and Justice says "proposed improvements" to Victims Services' support will simplify processes for victims of crime and work was being done to ensure the changes provided greater access.
But Western Women's Legal Support (WWLS) solicitor Tori Mines has raised concerns the changes will negatively impact on the most vulnerable, including child and adult sexual abuse survivors and victims of family and domestic violence.
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"Victim-survivors will be required to gather their evidence, and bear the costs, before lodging their application," she said.
"Currently, Victims Services does this work and pays all the associated fees.
"This change is likely to re-traumatise victim-survivors, especially those who are making their claim many years after sexual abuse.
"The costs and trauma may well deter them from making a claim."
The WWLS has urged people to contact their state MP to demand the Attorney-General intervene.
Ms Mines said anyone unable to lodge evidence at the time of their application would have their claim rejected.
"Compounding the trauma are the time limits imposed on making claims under the scheme," she said.
"If a victim-survivor is about to run out of time to make a claim, and they have not gathered their evidence, they cannot just lodge an application to protect their rights."
Ms Mines said it was "extremely concerning" that Victims Services failed to consult victim-survivors or advocacy services before announcing the proposed changes, which were initially due to start on April 27.
"We want the proposed changes delayed until a full and proper consultation process is undertaken to determine what, if any, changes should be made in accessing the scheme to ensure it assists healing, not hinders it," she said.
When contacted by the Daily Liberal, a Communities and Justice spokesperson said Victims Services had "listened to the concerns of victims' advocates and deferred implementation of the changes to enable further consultation".
"The proposed service improvements are designed to simplify processes for victims of crime, which includes consolidation of phone numbers, empowering victims to choose their own counsellor when they are ready, as well as a new application form to enable faster recognition payments," the spokesperson said.
"The Commissioner of Victims Rights is speaking with stakeholders to ensure that these service improvements provide greater access to victims support."
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
