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- Victim Assistance Scheme
Overview
If you're the victim of a serious crime, you may be able to get assistance for some of the costs related to the crime and the justice process.
Who can apply
The Victim Assistance Scheme is a type of financial assistance that helps people affected by crime including victims, their family and whānau, support people, witnesses and those first on the scene.
You may be able to apply for financial support from the Victim Assistance Scheme if you are:
- a primary victim or a victim-survivor of sexual violence, a regulatory offence or serious crime
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family and whānau of someone who was killed by homicide, or who died because of a criminal act or regulatory offence
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a witness to a homicide, or a death caused by a criminal act or regulatory offence
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first on the scene of a homicide, or a death caused by a criminal act or regulatory offence
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a support person for a primary victim, if you are 18 or older. This could be a parent, family or whānau member, trusted friend or professional support person.
The crime must have happened in Aotearoa New Zealand. You do not need to be a New Zealand resident to apply. People who are living in or visiting New Zealand can also apply.
What the Victim Assistance Scheme can cover
For the purposes of the Victim Assistance Scheme, serious crime is defined as:
- a crime that caused serious injury or incapacitation
- a crime that police confirm has caused the victim to have reasonable and ongoing fears for their physical safety or security, or that of their family and whānau.
The following crimes often fall under the definition of serious crime:
- homicide
- death by criminal act
- sexual violence
- serious assault
- arson
- kidnapping
- aggravated robbery
- burglary - offender disturbed.
You can find out below what the Victim Assistance Scheme can cover depending on the crime type and check what support you might be able to get.
How to apply
Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support administers the Victim Assistance Scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. They will assess how much financial support you can get based on your situation and the scheme criteria.
To apply, you can:
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contact your support worker
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freephone Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support on 0800 842 846
The amount of support may be different for each person, family, and whānau. The type of support available may also depend on the type of crime. In some cases, you may need to provide evidence of the cost.