Victims of Crime piggy bank cracked opened with $61m spend but survivors say more must be done as fund balloons to $200m

It’s a fund designed to help victims but even with a record-breaking bank balance and increased spending, a child sex abuse victim couldn’t get a psychiatrist.

The bloated Victims of Crime compensation fund has further swollen to $200 million – despite increased expenditure – while some survivors are unable to afford a psychiatrist.

Victims say the state government is earning $1.15m a week by taxing every crime that passes through the courts, but then failing to spend it on those who need it most.

Kylie Bailey, who was sexually abused by her stepfather, said she had spent thousands of dollars on medical help for her trauma after her compensation claim was denied.

She said that refusal of assistance – due to her abuser, Jeffrey Thomas Brant, being granted a retrial which he ultimately lost – left her “absolutely devastated”.

Kylie Bailey, 45, at her SA home. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

“I think the fact the Victims of Crime fund is sitting at $200m is a joke … there is so much healing that could come from the funds being used where it’s needed most,” she said.

“Providing survivors with free psychological services should be the bare minimum.

“No amount of compensation will ever heal me but having the funds to access the treatment, support and services I need will go a long way in helping me live a more peaceful and happy life.

“I felt upset, angry and once again let down by the system … I had lived with this for over 40 years and, because of a technicality, I was dismissed.”

Kylie Bailey was sexually abused by her stepfather for 10 years. Picture: Morgan Sette

Jeffrey Brant was found guilty at trial of sexually abusing Ms Bailey. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

FULL COFFERS

Established in the 1980s, the Victims of Crime fund is designed 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.

Last year, The Advertiser revealed the fund earned $1 million a week in 2021-22 financial year, lodged a record $194 million biggest surplus and been tapped for just $26.2 million in spending.

Survivors demanded reform and the government promised action, beginning with $70,000 for the Victim Support Service – which had been cut out of the fund previously.

The fund’s 2022-23 ledger shows it accrued $60.74 million through levies and had a total expenditure of $61.5 million.

More than $25 million was paid directly to victims in compensation and legal payments, $7.4 million in grants and $25 million to the National Redress Scheme.

Most victim advocacy stakeholders saw their funding increased, with the Victim Support Service and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service the biggest winners.

The government also bolstered Women’s Safety Services SA and the Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service.

However, the total amount in the fund also increased to a total of $200 million – up from $196 million in 2021/22 – thanks to interest.

Victims and survivors told The Advertiser that meant the government not only could, but must, do more this financial year.

VICTIMS’ VOICES

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

Julie Kelbin, left, with her son Jack Hanley. Picture: Supplied by Mr Hanley’s family

Ron Lillecrapp, brother of murder victim Joanne Lillecrapp, said the increased spending was a good start.

“I’m not a Labor man, but I’ve got a bit of time for Kyam Maher … he seems to know what he’s doing,” he said.

He and his partner, Deb, said the fund should be used to provide laptops and iPads to victims in regional areas, so they could engage with counselling services without travelling.

They said it should also be spent on bolstering the Department for Correctional Services’ victims register, which keeps survivors informed about offenders’ parole dates.

Mr Lillecrapp said the fund should also cover travel and accommodation expenses for victims and families travelling to Adelaide to attend court.

Julie Kelbin, whose son Jack died in a one-punch incident, said travel and accommodation support was vital.

“It’s amazing that the government has listened, and it’s about time those who are suffering are being given additional help,” she said.

“But there needs to be even more help for families who are suffering through the court process – help for them to attend trials without added financial trauma.”

A survivor known as “Rowena”, who fell victim to sex offender Peter Wayne Snodgrass, suggested a dedicated community group for victims be created and funded.

“You wouldn’t create certain groups for certain types of offences, but one group for everyone to build a sense of community and so people don’t feel alone,” she said.

Rowena said it was heartening that the government had listed to last year’s calls for change.

“This (spending) is fantastic … there’s this thing about being a survivor and having your voice heard, as the courts are a place where only certain people get their voices heard,” she said.

“To know we have actually been listened to is a huge comfort.”

HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT

In a statement, the government emphasised its continued support for aiding victims through both in-house programs and third-party providers such as Relationships Australia.

“Spending from the fund for vital initiatives and supports for victims more than doubled in 2022-23 – from $26.2 million in 2021-22 to $61.5 million in 2022-23 – an increase of more than $35 million,” a spokeswoman said.

“This included an increase in grant payments of around $2 million for supports available to victims, an increase of over $8 million dollars in legal and compensation payments to victims.

“While there has been a decrease in the number of applications received for compensation through the fund from 1725 in 2021-22 to 1551 in 2022-23, the number of applications approved increased from 912 in 2021-22 to 1091 in 2022-23.”