Victims of Crime fund balloons to $194M as spending on survivors, support agencies drops to lowest level in almost five years

“How dare they make victims feel their loved one’s lives weren’t worth anything while banking this atrocious amount of money?” – SA’s victims of crime speak out.

The state government is making almost $1 million a week from crime by taxing those who commit it – – while short-changing the very victims that money is supposed to be helping.

Figures sourced by The Advertiser reveal the Victims of Crime Fund ballooned to $194 million last financial year, its biggest surplus in five years.

However, victims and services supporting them received a little over half of the $50m accrued in that 12-month period – the lowest expenditure since 2018/19.

Survivors of crime say they are disgusted, stunned and confused, and have called on Attorney-General Kyam Maher to immediately rectify the situation.

Sexual abuse survivor Jennifer Samson. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Julie Kelbin with her son, Jack, at a family wedding. Picture: Supplied

Sexual abuse survivor Jennifer Samson said the stashed cash should be used to bolster services, directly support victims during court, and compensate them after cases.

“Trauma from crime hangs around for a long time, and it’s impossible to put a price tag on what someone’s trauma is ‘worth’ – but they do,” she said.

“To see this amount unspent simply enrages me … the survivors lose again.”

A survivor known as “Rowena”, who fell victim to sex offender Peter Wayne Snodgrass, agreed.

“The question for me, seeing that figure of $194 million, is ‘why – what’s the rainy day you’re saving for?’,” she said.

“It’s not like people are going to stop committing crimes, so why do you feel the need to keep so much in reserve when so much good can be done with it?”

Julie Kelbin, who was denied ex gratia compensation after the man charged with the one-punch death of her son Jack was acquitted as he was acting in self defence, questioned the government’s priorities.

“How dare they make victims feel their loved one’s lives weren’t worth anything while banking this atrocious amount of money?” she said.

Mr Maher said the government was committed to aiding survivors and had, since taking office, provided $1 million “in additional funding” to the Victim Support Service.

“We are always looking to ensure the funds available in the Victims of Crime Fund are used to effectively support victims,” he said.

“We will continue to work with victims, their families and their advocates to identify ways to more effectively support people through these difficult and traumatic periods in their lives.”

The Victims of Crime Compensation fund was established in the 1980s to assist survivors with medical, psychological and funeral expenses, and to refund loss of income.

It is fuelled by the Victims of Crime levy – a tax paid by every person who commits a crime or is fined for an offence – as well as confiscation of criminal assets.

Levies range from $92 for minor matters through to $180 for young offenders and $405 for convictions after trial.

Attorney-General’s Department figures show that, in 2016/17, the fund stood at $271 million.

Even after compensating victims of institutional sexual abuse the following year, the government still pocketed $153 million.

In 2020, the Liberal Government outsourced counselling – previously provided by the Victim Support Service – to Relationships Australia for a $1.2 million saving.

By last year, victim compensation had dropped to $16 million – down from $25 million in 2018/19 – while domestic violence support had been slashed by $250,000.

On Sunday, Commissioner for Victims Rights Bronwyn Killmier said she had repeatedly lobbied successive governments to “open the piggy bank”.

“There needs to be increases in funding and resourcing for counselling, and the employment of communication partners for disabled or vulnerable people coming to court,” she said.

“Victims are a highly traumatised cohort of people, and early intervention saves health costs down the line.”

Steven Egberts, whose grandchildren were murdered by Steven Graham Peet, said the lack of spending was “intolerable”.

“I reckon I’ve paid more into the fund by way of parking fines while coming to court for the trial than I’ve ever been helped by it as a victim,” he said.

“The government should be spending all of this money on victims and services … there should be little to nothing left in that account.”

Steven Egberts, whose grandchildren were murdered. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Ron Lillecrapp, brother of murder victim Joanne Lillecrapp. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Ron Lillecrapp, brother of murder victim Joanne Lillecrapp, said the expenditure was “flawed”.

“Why can’t the government look after people equitably by spending this money equitably when it’s the people who are paying in this money in the first place?” he said.

Mr Maher said $200,000 from the fund would be used over the next two years to restore support for the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service.

“This ensures women across the state, especially Aboriginal women living in regional areas, have access to free, easily-accessible legal advice,” he said.

He said the government would seek tenders on the provision of counselling.

“It’s vital that victims are able to access appropriate, effective services and I would expect this to be one of the main considerations when the bids are rigorously assessed,” he said.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Josh Teague is overseas and was unavailable for comment.