Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) was established under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 and came into operation on 1 July 1997.
The purpose of the Tribunal is to provide assistance to victims of crime. Its objectives are:
- to assist victims of crime to recover from the crime by paying them financial assistance for expenses incurred, or reasonably likely to be incurred, by them as a direct result of the crime
- to pay certain victims of crime financial assistance (including special financial assistance) as a symbolic expression by the state of the community's sympathy and condolence for, and recognition of, significant adverse effects experienced or suffered by them as victims of crime
- to allow victims of crime to have recourse to financial assistance under this Act where compensation for the injury cannot be obtained from the offender or other sources.