Specialist Victims Support Service

The Specialist Victims Support Service provides support to victims navigating the forensic mental health system in NSW.

Who can apply for support?

You may get support from the service if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are a primary victim or a family victim of a violent crime 
• the violent crime has been or may be referred for a hearing before the NSW District Court or the Supreme Court
•  the accused person may have a mental health impairment and/or cognitive impairment and has been or may be referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal. 

What support is available?

The service supports victims by:

• explaining the court and Mental Health Review Tribunal processes, such as special hearings and fitness inquiries 
• providing support when a matter progresses from the court to the Tribunal
• providing referrals to relevant services, such as counselling, housing and financial assistance 
• notifying registered victims about important changes regarding the forensic patient
• facilitating communication between a registered victim and the Mental Health Review Tribunal and assisting a registered victim to prepare information to present to the Tribunal
• attending hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim.

How do I access support?

If the accused person has not yet been determined to be a forensic patient and you need help understanding the legal process or referrals to support services, complete one of the following self-referral forms: 

• Online: Specialist Victims Support Service self-referral form 
  
• PDF: Specialist Victims Support Service self-referral form (PDF, 94.8 KB) 
  

If the accused person has been determined to be a forensic patient and you would like to receive updates about the patient, visit Specialist Victims Register to learn how to be added to the register. 

How do I refer someone to your service?

Any individual or organisation can refer victims to the Specialist Victims Support Service. If the accused person has not yet been determined to be a forensic patient and the victim needs help understanding the legal process or referrals to support services, complete one of the following referral forms:

• Online: Specialist Victims Support Service referral form
• PDF: Specialist Victims Support Service referral form (PDF, 94.1 KB) 

If the accused person has been determined to be a forensic patient and the victim would like to receive updates about the patient, contact the Specialist Victims Support Service to refer the victim to be registered on the Specialist Victims Register.

Contact the Specialist Victims Support Service

You can contact the Specialist Victims Support Service at Victims Services by:

• phone: 1800 633 063 (option 4) 
• email: svss@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• mail:
  Specialist Victims Support Service
  Victims Services
  Department of Communities and Justice
  Locked Bag 5118
  Parramatta NSW 2124