Attorney-General Vickie Chapman is desperately trying to patch up the mess she’s created by making deep statewide cuts to victim support services.
Late yesterday, the Attorney offered a paltry $250 000 to the Commissioner for Victims Rights amid pressure from victims about defunding the Victim Support Service by $2.3 million a year.
Last week the Marshall Liberal Government announced the long-running Victim Support Service would be stripped of its services including specialist counselling, the Court Companion program, help to write Victim Impact Statements and Victim Compensation Claims, training for police and prosecutors, and general advice and support to victims.
VSS’s seven regional offices at Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Berri and Port Pirie will now close. Seventeen highly skilled VSS counsellors and staff will lose their jobs.
The Victim Support Service has provided counselling and advocacy for 40 years. The organisation was started by victims of the Truro murders in 1979. It was the first victim support service in Australia and the fourth in the world.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher
Victims have loudly opposed this decision and the Attorney-General has been forced to act.
But $250 000 doesn’t come close to replacing seven regional offices, the Court Companion program or the expert advice provided to victims for over 40 years.
The Attorney-General has made a mistake. She needs to stop her attack on a worthwhile organisation and start supporting victims of crime.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Child Protection Jayne Stinson
$250 000 is a band aid solution to a gaping wound created entirely by the Attorney-General.
This government should be increasing support to victims of crime - not stripping the services they need so desperately to save a few bucks.
Victims contacting my office are appalled at the severe cuts and that so many services they previously received will no longer be available.
Victims in regional areas are particularly hard hit and will now have to travel hundreds of kilometres for face-to-face counselling and advice. Some will miss out entirely.
The Court Companion program sees volunteers who’ve experienced crime themselves accompany victims throughout long and traumatic court hearings. Unfortunately, the Commissioner and her staff won’t be able to replicate that vital service.
** Disclosure: Before entering Parliament Ms Stinson served on the Board of the Victim Support Service.