Services

Dealing with the justice system

The criminal justice system can be intimidating and difficult to navigate, especially for victims of crime dealing with the fear and trauma of an event. After a crime has happened, you may feel uncertain about what to do next or concerned about what will happen once the crime is reported. When you are dealing with a trauma, it can be hard to remember information, follow instructions, and manage law enforcement.

RV Legal specialises in assisting victims of crime through what can be a difficult and distressing time.

Receiving compensation

Most victims of crime don’t realise what they are entitled to when it comes to compensation. We offer a comprehensive service to work closely with you to understand what you can claim in compensation. We will assist you through each step of the process with empathy and understanding.

As a victim of crime, you may be entitled to:

• a financial award
• counselling
• reimbursement for loss or damage to clothing
• loss of wages, up to $20,000.00
• security systems
• funeral expenses
• medical expenses
• safety related expenses
• other expenses required to assist in your recovery.

Common Responses After a Crime

Everybody responds to trauma in a different way. As a victim of crime, understanding some of the common responses and reactions can be helpful and assist you in the healing process.

Remember that there is no wrong or right way to respond when you have a criminal offence committed against you. Experiencing a range of emotions is a normal part of being affected by a crime. In most cases, they are temporary, and you will recover in the days, weeks or months following the incident with the support of friends and family.

The team at RV Legal are there to offer you empathetic, non-judgmental advice whenever you need it.

Feelings of shock, numbness and disbelief

Many people will struggle to come to terms with being a victim of crime. It is common to experience feelings of numbness and to have trouble believing that this has happened to you. You may also experience confusion or sensations of helplessness, and these feelings may take a while to stop occurring.

Feelings of fear and anger

Often, incidents of crime and violence create a deep-seated sense of fear in the victim. This fear can take a long time to dissipate, even when the direct threat is no longer there. Other times, you may have a strong sense of anger towards the person or persons who committed the crime against you, or the circumstances that led to you being a victim of crime. Sometimes this anger can be turned on yourself. It is important to work through these feelings and remember that being a victim of crime is not your fault.

Physical responses

It is completely normal to experience some physical ailments following a traumatic event. Some of these include headaches, nausea, sleep problems, fatigue, and jumpiness. Often, these physical responses are accompanied by psychological issues.

Effects on daily life

The recovery process after an incident can be long. Many victims of crime experience trouble with concentration or memory, reduced performance at work or school, and feeling like they want to withdraw from others.

For information and more resources for support click here