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Victims' rights

You have rights if you have suffered harm because of a crime (including any form of violence).

Your rights are outlined in the Charter of Victims' Rights. All government and government-funded agencies that work with victims must uphold these rights as far as practical and appropriate.

If you have been a victim of an offence that has been referred to the Mental Health Court, some information below may not be relevant for you. Contact Queensland Health Victim Support Services for information and advice.

Download a victims’ rights brochure.

General rights

Your needs should be taken into account and you should be treated with respect, courtesy, compassion and dignity.

You have a right to privacy. Your personal information, including your address and phone number cannot be shared unless the law allows it.

You should be given information as soon as possible about services that can help you recover.

Charter of victims' rights

Victims of violence committed in Queensland are protected by the Charter of Victims' Rights.

Duration 00:03:44 |

Transcript: Victims’ Rights Charter video

In Queensland, there is a Charter of Victims’ Rights.

If you have been a victim of violence, you have rights.

You may have been the victim of an assault, a sexual offence, domestic violence, or other personal crimes.

You may be a close family member of a person that has died in a homicide.

You can expect government and government-funded agencies to treat you with respect, courtesy, compassion and dignity.

Your personal information cannot be shared unless the law allows it.

You can expect to be given information about services that can help you recover.

You have rights in the criminal justice system.

You can expect to receive information about the police investigation; decisions about the prosecution of the accused person; if arrest warrants or other warrants are issued, who is charged and what they are charged with; and if the accused accepts a plea to a lesser or different charge.

You should be told about court processes, hearing dates, attending court, the trial process and your role as a witness.

You will be informed about any programs available to the accused person in relation to the crime.

You can expect to be informed about the results of the court case, including the sentence and outcome of any appeals.

You have the right to information about bail applications, outcomes, and release arrangements, including any special conditions that may impact on your safety or welfare.

You can expect to be protected at court from unnecessary contact with the accused person, family members or friends.

You can make a victim impact statement at sentencing expressing how the crime has harmed you.

You can expect to have any of your property held for an investigation or as evidence returned as soon as possible.

Many victims have rights when the offender goes to prison.

If you are eligible to be registered on a victim register, you have the right to information about the offender’s period of imprisonment or escapes from prison.

You can expect to be given the opportunity to write to the parole board about granting parole to the offender.

If you believe these rights have not been upheld, you have the right to make a complaint.

If you believe the Queensland Government agency or non‑government organisation has not met your rights, or you would like more information about victims’ rights or services please contact Victim Assist Queensland at victimassist@justice.qld.gov.au or call 1300 546 587 during business hours.

Visit our website for more information about victim rights and victim registers.

Your rights in the criminal justice system

You can expect to be told:

  • the progress of the police investigation, unless this may jeopardise the investigation
  • decisions about the prosecution of the accused person. This includes
    • the charges brought against the accused person
    • not bringing charges
    • substantial changes to the charges
    • accepting a plea of guilty to a lesser or different charge
  • the name of the person charged with the crime
  • if a warrant is being issued for the arrest of the accused person
  • about the court processes, including hearing dates and how you can attend court
  • about any programs available to the accused person
  • the result of the criminal court proceeding against the accused person, including the sentence imposed and outcome of an appeal
  • if an application for bail is made by the accused person, outcomes of the bail application, any arrangements made for the release of the accused person, including any special conditions that may impact your safety or welfare
  • about the trial process and your role as a witness (if you are one).

You have a right to:

  • be protected at court from unnecessary contact with, or violence or intimidation by, the accused person and their witnesses, family members or friends
  • make a victim impact statement at the sentencing of the person found guilty, expressing how the crime has harmed you
  • have your property that has been held for an investigation or as evidence returned as soon as possible.

Your rights when the offender goes to prison

If you are registered on the victims register:

  • You have the right to information about the offender’s period of imprisonment, or escape. You may be advised if the offender transfers to another prison.
  • You will be given the opportunity to write to the parole board about granting parole to the offender.

Call the Corrective Services victims register (1800 098 098) to find out if you are eligible and how to access this information. If the offender is under 18, call the Youth Justice victims register for more information (13 74 68).

Your right to make a complaint

You can make a complaint if a Queensland Government agency or non-government organisation has not met your rights.

Last updated:
12 April 2024
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