Victims Legal Service is essential to victim-survivor recovery, fund it now
26 March 2026
In partnership with
In just over 100 days, funding for Victoria’s Victims Legal Service — the service that helps victim‑survivors of crime access financial support, safety measures and specialist legal help — will run out, leaving thousands at risk.
When Jasmine* was first connected to the Victims Legal Service, she felt overwhelmed. She needed help to recover from violence but that felt impossible because there were so many hoops to jump through. But with the support of her Victims Legal Service lawyer, things changed. Her lawyer took the time to explain each step to applying for and securing financial support after violence. They answered all of Jasmine’s questions and worked alongside Jasmine’s support worker, so she didn’t have to manage the process alone.
With that help—and a trauma‑informed approach that met her where she was—Jasmine secured more than $59,000 in interim financial assistance to rebuild her life, as well as additional support in recognition of the harm she had experienced. She now has safe housing, access to counselling, and the stability she needs to work toward getting her children back.
Stories like Jasmine’s show exactly why the Victims Legal Service is essential—and why the looming end of funding for the service in just over 100 days puts thousands of victim-survivors at risk of losing essential legal help to stay safe and rebuild their lives.
Women’s Legal Service Victoria CEO Claudia Fatone says the Victims Legal Service is an essential service that the Victorian Government must fund immediately.
"The Victorian Government must demonstrate its support of victim-survivors by urgently securing the future of the Victims Legal Service."
Since it began in March 2023, Victims Legal Service has delivered more than 12,000 supports to victims of crime. It is the first and only statewide service of its kind and is delivered in partnership by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Djirra, Women’s Legal, Victoria Legal Aid and the Federation of Community Legal Centres alongside seven community legal centres. The model, designed together with victims of crime, includes a specialist helpline as well as more intensive legal assistance provided by partner legal services.
Demand for the service has doubled, reaching 406 requests for help each month.
On top of helping people access financial support to recover, the service includes a specialist helpline and dedicated legal support for victim‑survivors of sexual violence if someone tries to access their private counselling and health records in court.
The Victorian Government initially committed $7.3 million over three years in the 2021–22 Budget to establish the service. Funding was extended for an additional 12 months, but without a new commitment, it will end in June 2026.
Women’s Legal joins our service partners to call on the Victorian Government urgently secure long‑term, sustainable funding for the Victims Legal Service so victim‑survivors are not left without essential legal support.
Read how Victoria’s Victims Legal Service is essential for victim-survivor recovery: