To be eligible for financial assistance, primary and secondary victims must show in their application that they suffered an injury as a direct result of a violent act. Evidence requirements for injury are explained further below.
The injury must be:
- physical harm
- psychological or psychiatric harm
- exacerbation of a pre-existing injury
- a mix of injuries (including physical, psychological or psychiatric harm or exacerbation of a pre-existing injury), or
- trauma associated with the violent act.
A victim will need to show that there is a direct link between the violent act and the injury. In other words, if it were not for the violent act, the injury would not have occurred. This does not include injury caused by loss of or damage to property.
The violent act must occur in Victoria however the injury can arise later outside Victoria.
✅ Eligible for the FAS Example: Pascal was assaulted while walking home. His jaw was broken, and he now suffers from ongoing psychological harm. Pascal regularly sees a psychologist for depression and severe anxiety which was not present before the assault. Pascal’s physical and psychological injuries are a direct result of the assault. |
Updated