It is important to talk to a lawyer and find out what your legal rights are and what you can do in the situation if you have been the victim of a crime.

There are also a number of Community Legal Centers around Queensland that can provide you with legal advice.

They are listed on our Links page.

Sometimes people do not want to see a lawyer or tell the police. You can choose not to make a formal legal complaint. It is ok not to do anything if you don’t want to.

You might want to read about Victims Rights and you might want someone who you trust to explain this to you.

You can access this information at
www.legislation.qld.gov.au

You can go to the front counter of your local police station and report the crime.

It is a good idea to take someone that you trust with you or ask for an advocate or independent third person to be present when you do your police interview.

At the police station they will ask you at the front counter first, what happened.

Then they may take you into an interview room and ask you to tell them about the crime. 

A police person will tell you what they are going to do as they do it.  If they don’t tell you this, it is ok for you to ask them ‘what is happening next’ and ‘why are you doing this’.

After you have reported a crime to the police they will take some time to find out what has happened.  They are getting the evidence about the crime.

The police will tell you about what they have found out about the crime you have reported and what will happen once they have the evidence.

You can call them and ask how the investigation is going and what will happen next.

If you do not hear from them for a long time it is a good idea to talk to the police person who you first gave the interview to.

You can watch the video on the Department of Justice and Attorney General’s website that explains who people are and what they will do in the court.
www.justice.qld.gov.au

You might ask the Victims Liaison Officer in the court to show you the court room that you will be in.

You may be able to watch your interview tape again before the court case.

Dress like you are a business person going to a business meeting on the day of the court case.

Pack a drink, some lunch and something to read or do to take with you.  Sometimes it takes a long time for you to do your job in the court room.

You can take a support person with you to the court case. Your support person cannot talk to you about the crime but is able to help you with your feelings and explain what you have to do on the day.

Sometimes you can give your evidence behind a screen or over a closed circuit television monitor.

You can ask for a break when you are giving evidence.

You can say that you do not understand the question.

You can take the time you need to tell the court what happened to you.

If you are asked a question and you do not remember what happened, you can say ‘I don’t remember’.

When you have been the victim of crime sometimes you can get help for costs associated with the crime. Contact Victims Link Up on 1300 546 587

If you are going to court for a case, it may take a long time, sometimes months and sometimes years.

Sometimes this makes it hard for you to remember the details of what happened because it happened a long time ago.  It is important that you take your time in remembering and telling the court what happened as you remember it.

It is a good idea to have support person with you over the court case. 

We also have some information for your support person and lawyer on this website that can help you all work together.