Inside the Victim Assist Queensland support Centre

More Queensland victims of crime will be able to access essential help under a new $2m plan.

Queenslanders whose homes are broken into will have access to specialised counselling and support services from Monday, under a new $2m state government plan.

The Sunday Mail was this week given an inside look at the Victim Assist Queensland (VAQ) support centre, where it was revealed victim of crime applications for help more than doubled last year - up from 7463 applications to over 19,000.

Up to now victims who were broken into without being disturbed, who were asleep or who weren’t at home were given limited support because they did not have a “threat” of violence used against them.

Now those victims will also be supported under the program, with UnitingCare to co-ordinate the assistance.

Victims will be given free therapeutic counselling appointments with appropriate follow-up contact as well as information and advice.

These victims will not, however, be eligible for financial assistance, with payments only made to those directly impacted by violence or who were affected by a homicide (including family members and witnesses to crime).

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath at the Victim Assist Queensland support centre. Picture: Richard Walker

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said she knew the fear of being the victim of a break-in.

“It certainly traumatises people to know that someone’s been in their house while they’ve been there,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.

“Especially when you’ve got children asleep. I’ve had that happen to me. Our kids were asleep. We were asleep. And it’s an awful thought to wake up in the morning and realise someone’s been in your house and taken things and you were all there with young children in the house.”

VAQ workers told The Sunday Mail that officers on duty each fielded around 40-50 calls for help a day.

“In terms of the workload, it’s increased tremendously. That might be because people know what we do and are a lot more confident in seeking assistance now,” senior information officer Ainsleigh Kelly said.

“When I first started we were a much smaller team. And now we’re a much bigger team and we’re still having a significant number of phone calls, emails referrals come through.”

VAQ senior information officer Ainsleigh Kelly. Picture: Richard Walker

A Victims of Crime Community Response (VOCCR) unit has also been established, with workers going out into the community after high-profile crimes.

They were deployed to Redbank Plains in February when grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly murdered at a shopping centre, and more recently to Mackay, after Natalie Jane Frahm was fatally shot in the driveway of her home.

Ms D’Ath said the VAQ had been inspired by Lee Lovell, whose wife Emma Lovell was stabbed to death during a home invasion on Boxing Day 2022.

“I don’t ever want anyone else to feel like what Lee and his family went through,” she said.

Lee Lovell with daughters Kassie and Scarlett. Picture: Steve Pohlner

While Mr Lovell supported the program, he said it was imperative the government continue to talk with victims themselves to fix “gaps” in the system.

“I think the team that’s been instilled there, maybe they should either talk to myself or other homicide victims and just get a sense of their stories to find out where they were let down and where maybe they could help people,” Mr Lovell said.

“There’s no point in helping people if you don’t know why or how you need to help people.”