General engagement between victims and police

Police must provide you with an update about any changes to the status of an investigation such as making an arrest or making a decision not to continue the investigation. Police must update you about the progress of the investigation at least every six weeks. However, you can agree to be contacted less frequently. If this happens, police will only contact you as agreed.

If providing an update to you would prejudice the investigation or another investigation, police may not be permitted to update you on certain parts of the investigation. However, we must tell you as much as otherwise possible.

If police are holding your property for an investigation or for a Court case, we must appropriately, securely and lawfully store your property. Police must return your property to you after it is no longer needed by police. However, police will not return property that is unlawful for you to possess.

You are not required to appear at a preliminary or committal hearing unless the Court directs you to attend or the ACT DPP considers your appearance necessary in the interests of justice.

Unless directed otherwise by the Court, justice agencies (such as police, ACT DPP and the Court) must ensure that if required, you are provided with relevant aids and adjustments to enable you to fully participate in the criminal justice process. Aids and adjustments available include but are not limited to:

• an assistance animal;
• intermediary;
• support person;
• interpreter; and
• translator.

If you feel that you would benefit from an aid or adjustment, you should tell police and/or the ACT DPP.

At any stage of the criminal justice process you may ask police to refer an offence for restorative justice. See Restorative Justice.

Police must advise you within a reasonable period before you would be able to make a victim impact statement:

who may make a victim impact statement;
that a victim impact statement may be made orally or in writing;
what information a victim  impact  statement  must  and  may include.

Police may refer you to the section on this webpage titled Victim Impact Statements which contains all relevant information regarding the victim impact statement process.

The Victims of Crime team can assist you with making your Victim Impact Statement and can be contacted on (ph: 02 5126 9113). Further details are available at the Victim Impact Statements section of this webpage.

If you suffer a loss or incur expenses as a direct result of an offence, you can ask the prosecutor to apply for a reparation order under the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 (ACT). This is an order requiring the defendant to compensate you for your financial loss or expenses. You can discuss this issue with the police officer who investigated your matter, or the prosecutor from the ACT DPP handling the matter.

If you give evidence as a witness in a criminal proceeding, you may be able to claim reimbursement of expenses incurred or income lost in attending Court. You will need to complete the relevant form with the Courts and be able to provide the necessary documents to support your application - you can discuss your claim with the investigating officer or Court staff.

You may also apply for financial assistance under the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 2016 (ACT). See relevant section under ‘further information’.