Specialist Victims Support Service

Victims Services manages the Specialist Victims Support Service (the Service).

The Service can provide support to victims of crime if the accused person:

• may have a mental health impairment and/or cognitive impairment, and the NSW District Court or Supreme Court case has not been finalised, or
• has been found not criminally responsible by the NSW District Court or Supreme Court and referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal, or
• has received a limiting term from the NSW District Court or Supreme Court and referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal. 

Support available

The Service supports victims by:

• explaining court and Mental Health Review Tribunal processes, such as special hearings and fitness inquiries
• providing support when a matter progresses from the court to the Mental Health Review Tribunal
• providing referrals to relevant support services
• providing information about support available to eligible victims under the Victims Support Scheme. This may include:
  • counselling
  • financial assistance
  • recognition payments.
• providing information about the Specialist Victims Register and assisting victims to register to receive updates about a forensic patient. 

How to access the Specialist Victims Support Service

To get support from the Specialist Victims Support Service, please contact Victims Services by phone or email.

If another support service or organisation is assisting you, they can contact us by phone or email to refer you to the Specialist Victims Support Service. 

Contact details

To contact the Specialist Victims Support Service, please:

• call: 1800 633 063 (option 4)
• email: svss@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• write to us:
  Specialist Victims Support Service
  Victims Services
  Department of Communities and Justice
  Locked Bag 5118
  Parramatta NSW 2124