Our Victims and Witness Assistance Service (WAS) staff have social work backgrounds. The service works closely with prosecutors to make sure victims of crime, and vulnerable witnesses, have access to the following:
- general updates concerning the prosecution case
- information/explanations concerning the legal process and court procedures
- information concerning policy entitlements and avenues for review or complaint
- information concerning the role of a witness
- a consistent point of contact within the CDPP for the duration of the prosecution process
- support during meetings with prosecutors
- court familiarisation tours
- support at court and during the trial
- referrals to counselling and other services in the community
- information about Victim Impact Statements.
The work carried out by the WAS and other prosecution staff is guided by the CDPP’s Victims of Crime Policy.
Who does the WAS work with?
The most vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime are referred to the WAS. These include matters involving identifiable child victims of crime, victims of slavery, sexual servitude, and forced marriage offences.
The WAS may help victims of crime involved in prosecutions concerning terrorism, violent and sexual offences that occur on aircraft/at sea, and offences that involve the loss of significant amounts of money.
Prosecutors refer people to the WAS according to the WAS Referral Guidelines.
How do I contact the WAS?
WAS staff are located in the CDPP offices in Sydney (02 9321 1100) and Melbourne (03 9605 4333). However, the WAS is a national resource and provides assistance to witnesses and victims in whichever state or territory you are located. When you phone, tell reception you’d like to speak to someone from the WAS.
Who can I contact if I want to know more about the case I’m involved in?
If you would like more information about a Commonwealth prosecution you are involved in, you can contact the CDPP.
If you have been allocated a Witness Assistance Officer (WAO), they should be your first point of contact. Your WAO can provide information about the court process, explain what is happening in the matter and (where appropriate) arrange for you to speak with the prosecutor.
If you have not been allocated a WAO, or do not remember who your WAO is, you can contact the CDPP prosecutor handling the matter, or contact the CDPP office in your state or territory and ask to be directed to the relevant contact. You may be asked to provide details, such as the name of the accused person, to help us identify the correct matter.
You can also contact the investigating or police officer involved in the investigation through the relevant investigative agency or state or territory police headquarters. If you know the officer’s name, this will assist the relevant agency to direct your enquiry to the right person.
More information
- Prosecutors
- Victim Impact Statement
- Victims of Crime Policy
- Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth
- CDPP office in your state or territory
Downloads
You can download and print information about Witness Assistance Services in the following format: