Free counselling and compensation services to victims of crime in Victoria funded by state government.

Victims of Crime: Compensation & Counselling Services

Compensation and counselling services to victims of crime in Victoria funded by the state government.

Carfi Psychological and Rehabilitation Services

Services including psychology, occupational rehabilitation, counselling, psychometric assessments, training and consulting

Jennifer Fahey - Psychologist

Diane Abbott - Psychologist

VRAS administers a Victims Counselling Scheme which provides immediate access to short term counselling. 

Those eligible for five free counselling sessions with a registered psychologist, a social worker or a loss and grief counsellor, may include: 

-- Victims of a violent crime which occurred in Victoria and has been reported to police.

-- Family members of a victim of homicide or other violent crime.


Counselling services are made available from a VRAS-approved psychologist, social worker or loss and grief counsellor.  VRAS has a database of all providers participating in the Victims Counselling Scheme with details of gender, specialties, localities, languages spoken and other information to assist in the choice of the most appropriate assistance.  The victims makes a personal choice of counsellor, either directly, or with the assistance of VRAS, family or friend, doctor or community agency.

After each counselling session is completed the victim and the service provider both sign a Counselling Claim Form. (Victims may simply call the Helpline on 1800 819 817 and ask for a VRAS Counselling Claim Form which will be sent out by mail)  On completion of the counselling VRAS pays the invoice sent in by the counsellor.

In certain circumstances VRAS will pay counsellors travel time where they visit victims unable to leave their homes, e.g.. Through disability, interpreters for those who need them and facilitators and carers for children or the disabled.  Travel needs to be approved in advance.

Area Serviced
Victoria Wide.com/b.j

Victims Referral & Assistance Service

 The Victims Referral and Assistance Service (VRAS) assists victims of crime in a holistic, responsive and caring manner.

The Victims referral and Assistance Service provides:

-- access to counselling;

-- referrals to appropriate support services;

-- information about legal services and financial assistance for victims of crime in the State of Victoria.

Its functions are to: 

-- Refer victims to appropriate support agencies in an attempt to restore them, in so far as it is possible, to their former state.

-- Administer the victims counselling scheme which will enable victims to access immediate short term counselling.

-- Manage resourcing of funding of additional assistance to victims through the victims assistance program, working with community agencies.


Who is a Victim of Crime?
A victim of crime is a person who has suffered harm because of a criminal act.  That harm can be physical injury, emotional trauma or financial loss.

For example, a person who is injured in a violent attack, or someone who has experienced sexual assault or robbery, is a victim of crime.
Family members of a person killed or injured because of a crime may also be victims.
It is common for people who witness a crime to suffer emotional trauma.  These people are victims even though they may not have been physically harmed.

Recovering from Crime
Being a victim of a crime affects people in many different ways.

It is not unusual for people who have experienced serious crimes, such as robbery or assault, to feel immediately shocked, fearful or angry.  Later it is quite normal for some victims to experience depression or even feel guilty.
These reactions are natural and part of the process of dealing with a traumatic event.  In the majority of cases they are also temporary.  With support from family and friends and colleagues, most people recover from the effects within a few months.
For other people the recovery process is more difficult.  They harm may have occured over a long period of time, or a crime may have been especially traumatic.

To find out further information, please contact the Victims Referral & Assistance Service on 1800 819 817.

Interpreting Services
If you need an interpreter, telephone the Translating and Interpreting Service on Free call 131 450

Hours
Monday - Friday
9.00am - 4.00pm
(except public holidays) ww.ads

NGI Consulting - East Melbourne

Online/Skype delivery of counselling services are available subject to assessment of suitability.

This service is provided by appointment only; appointments can be made by phone during the listed office hours; alternatively please call the mobile to confirm service availability.

Christopher Grace - Melbourne

All services provided by this site are available at the Abbotsford Convent address as well as at a CONFIDENTIAL Werribee address Wed 8AM-8PM and Fri 8AM-7PM. 

Additional off-site counselling services are conducted through the outreach program; please call 0402 423 532 for more information as appointment hours may vary.

Nyrelle Bade -Arts Therapy - East Melbourne

Using art making and creativity to express and explore feelings, thoughts, behaviours and experiences.   **Multiple and complex needs, disability, children, mental health and trauma - areas of specialisation.

Antonia Harold - Psychotherapist

Aicha Brogan is a psychotherapist who practices from a Gestalt framework. She includes somatic work, mindfulness and trauma theories into her practice.

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Victims of crime counselling service in Fitzroy

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Victims of Crime: Compensation & Counselling Services