15.6 Safety-related expenses

Primary victims are eligible for financial assistance with reasonable safety-related expenses that have been paid for or are likely to be paid for because of the violent act.^[25] These expenses are to ensure the safety of a primary victim after the violent act. Evidence requirements for safety-related expenses are explained further below.

The safety-related expenses sought should be:

• for a purpose reasonably expected to promote the primary victim’s safety
• proportionate to the benefit it might have for the primary victim, and
• needed as a direct result of the violent act.

The FAS will pay for expenses including:

• the installation of CCTV and other security camera equipment
• the removal of tracking and surveillance equipment
• security gates or fences
• security alarms
• intercom systems
• window, door or lock repairs
• motion sensor lights
• personal duress alarm
• mobile phones, or
• housing and relocation costs.

The FAS must be satisfied that the primary victim needs the reasonable safety-related expense for their safety as a direct result of the violent act. To help establish this, the FAS will consider:

• the type of security or safety expenses and its potential impact for the victim
• how long the primary victim will be living at the address where the safety-related equipment is installed
• any permissions needed from any landlord if the safety-related equipment is fixed and relating to a leased property, and
• for the installation of security equipment, that the service provider is registered or licensed under the Private Security Act 2004.