Alternative Law Journal

Review of NSW victims compensation scheme

Janet Loughman and Edwina MacDonald

New South Wales

The NSW government has announced a review of the state’s victims compensation scheme. Price Waterhouse Coopers has been appointed to conduct the review. An Issues Paper was published in March and the final report is due to government in mid-2012.

Part of the rationale for the review is that the scheme is not financially sustainable in the longer term with the government looking for the delivery of ‘faster and more effective financial support for victims’.

Many community legal centres in NSW assist clients who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault to make applications for compensation. Many clients are Aboriginal women and claims include long histories of domestic violence or child sexual assault.

Victims compensation can validate the very difficult disclosures of violence by victims and provide some sense of accountability and acknowledgement by the community of the harm done and impact on their lives. The compensation awards, although not large, provide practical support and assistance that beneficially impact on their lives.

It is important that the government hear about the benefits of a compensation scheme for people who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. The discussion paper can be downloaded from NSW Victims Services website - www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs

JANET LOUGHMAN is Principal Solicitor at the Women’s Legal Services NSW. EDWINA MacDONALD is Law Reform and Policy Solicitor at Kingsford Legal Centre.

Cite as

(2012) 37(2) AltLJ 135