Victim Support Service loses funding after 40 years of helping South Australian crime victims

The Victim Support Service — which has looked after victims of crime across the state for 40 years — is closing most of its operations after losing government funding.

The Victim Support Service has helped thousands of victims of crime across South Australia over the past 40 years from the families of homicide victims to people robbed at work.

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A groundbreaking counselling service for crime victims has announced the closure of most of its services following the loss of State Government funding.

The Victim Support Service (VSS) — the first of its kind in Australia — said it could no longer provide support for many victims of crime and abuse.

The service, which has supported thousands of crime victims over 40 years from the families of murder victims to targets of armed holdups, will close all of its regional offices.

Chief executive officer John Koerber said the difficult decision followed a government decision by Attorney-General Vickie Chapman to award a contract to another provider, Relationships Australia.

The Victim Support Service has helped thousands of victims of crime across South Australia over the past 40 years from the families of homicide victims to people robbed at work.

Mr Koerber said the three-year, $2.4 million contract marked the end of the VSS “providing integrated safety, counselling and criminal justice support to South Australian victims”.

“VSS has had a significant impact on the wellbeing of victims of crime in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia,” he said.

“We have supported thousands of victims with trauma-informed therapeutic counselling and wraparound criminal justice system support services, whilst also raising awareness of issues impacting victims.”

Mr Koeber said, as the first victims of crime service in Australia and the fourth in the world, VSS had “advocated tirelessly for the rights of victims of crime and abuse” including:

PLAYING a lead role in the first inquiry into victims of crime in the world

ESTABLISHMENT of the first victims of crime compensation fund in Australia

FIRST United Nations Declaration of Victims’ Rights

FIGHTING constantly for legal reform to benefit victims of crime and abuse.

The Victim Support Service has helped thousands of victims of crime across South Australia over the past 40 years from the families of homicide victims to people robbed at work.

“While we congratulate Relationships Australia South Australia (RASA) on being awarded the contract for provision of therapeutic counselling services for victims of crime, we are disappointed that our demonstrated experience and capability has not been embraced,” he said.

Mr Koerber said in addition to losing the counselling service to RASA “we are also saddened that other support services provided by VSS will no longer be funded in the new delivery model”.

“South Australia will no longer have a dedicated victim support service providing assistance and advocacy for the complex needs of victims,” he said.

“VSS will no longer be able to support victims of crime and abuse with provision of information, assistance with Victim Impact Statements or Victims of Crime Compensation, our long-running court companion program or provide general support and advocacy for victims.

The Victim Support Service has helped thousands of victims of crime across South Australia over the past 40 years from the families of homicide victims to people robbed at work.

“We will also be unable to continue providing valuable training for SA police cadets, police prosecutors and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

Mr Koeber said VSS would be closing its regional offices in Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla, the Riverland, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier.

“We are justifiably proud of the direct support we have provided within regional communities for more than 21 years and deeply saddened by this outcome,” he said.

“We recognise that the needs of regional victims of crime and abuse are different from those in metropolitan areas, and the demands on our partner agencies in regional communities are higher.

“This is truly the end of an era for victims of crime and abuse in South Australia.”

Mr Koeber said VSS would continue to provide trauma-informed counselling and support for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and support women and children experiencing domestic and family violence to remain safely in their homes.

The Victim Support Service has helped thousands of victims of crime across South Australia over the past 40 years from the families of homicide victims to people robbed at work.

“VSS remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community and we will be working over the coming weeks and months to reshape our organisation and prepare for the next chapter,” he said.

Ms Chapman said the contract had been awarded to Relationships Australia because of its ability to provide online and face-to-face counselling, particularly in regional areas.

“We wanted the highest quality counselling services to be available to victims no matter where they live in South Australia,” she said.

“RASA (Relationships Australia) will continue to deliver counselling services for victims of crime state wide by a combination of face-to-face, telephone and online services.”

The new contract takes effect from July 1.