24 Hour call-out service

A memorandum of understanding currently exists with the Northern Territory Police Service to offer immediate call-out to distressed victims. This service is instigated by the Police members attending the scene of the crime, who will ask the victim if they would like a Victim Assistance Worker to attend the scene to provide in person support.  Our workers will only attend if the attending police officers deem the situation to be safe for our workers to visit.

This service is only available in the Darwin/Palmerston areas.

24 hour phone help line - 1800 672 242

Out of our office hours (8.30am – 4.30pm Monday through Friday) the phone is diverted to our volunteer workers who offer support and information to victims of crime.  This line is to be contacted in the event of a break-in in order for contractors to be contacted to resecure or clean up a property.

The phone line is a free call number Territory wide.

Court Support

Court support can be arranged for those victims feeling traumatised or overwhelmed by the court process.  On domestic violence days, Wednesdays and Fridays, workers can be present at the Darwin Magistrates court.  The role of the worker is to provide support to victims by answering any questions about the court process, to explain what the lawyers or the magistrate are talking about, and to simply sit with the victim so that they don’t have to face the court alone.

Assistance can also be provided to clients needing to complete a Victim Impact Statement.

Advocacy

We can liaise on behalf of the client with the police, courts, solicitors and other agencies.  This may range from phoning a solicitor for a client to investigate the progress of their compensation case through to arranging emergency accommodation after leaving violence. We can also provide support to victims dealing with government agencies, such as Territory Housing, advocating for special consideration when a client may not meet the particular agencies prescribed criteria.

Clean-up and Securing Fund (Financial Assistance for Unlawful Entries):

The Government contracts our Organisation to manage and distribute financial assistance to victims of unlawful entry to clean-up and secure their residential property after the crime to a maximum of $250.  This initiative is to help victims in their time of need in order to minimise the stress of cleaning up after the offender or feeling unsafe in a non-secure home.  The need exists for the victim to contact us as soon as possible after the crime.  Our workers will assess the eligibility of the case, and if our guidelines are satisfied, contact the appropriate contractor to organise the repairs or cleaning.

Generally, clients must satisfy the criteria below:

• Provide a Police Promise # (provided at the time of reporting the crime)
• Live in and own their property (rental or Territory Housing properties need to be dealt with through the property manager)
• Be prepared to pay any costs over and above the $250 maximum to the contractor at the time of the cleaning or repairs being carried out.

* The Clean-up and Securing Fund does not cover commercial premises, motor vehicles or any belongings stolen.