ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE VICTIMS OF CRIME TRIBUNAL
To qualify for assistance from the Victims of Crime Tribunal (VOCAT), you must be a victim of an act of violence and have suffered physical or mental injury as a result of that act.
Here are the types of violence covered:
Assault
Assault and Robbery
Armed Robbery
Aggravated Burglary
Sexual Assault / Childhood Sexual Abuse
Domestic Violence
Stalking
Deprivation of Liberty
Threats to Harm or Kill
Dangerous Driving / Culpable Driving
Conduct Endangering Life
Secondary Victims
Crime can also impact witnesses and family members of the direct victim. These secondary victims may also be eligible to apply for crime assistance and compensation.
Reporting to Police
The crime must be reported to the police within a reasonable timeframe. While the police do not need to arrest anyone or lay charges, they must verify that a crime has occurred. If the crime was not reported to the police, special circumstances must be demonstrated.
Time Limits
The crime must have occurred within the last 2 years. If you are applying outside this period, you must request an extension of time. This often applies to cases of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence, though it is not limited to these. Applications for crimes outside the 2-year limit may still be considered.