A Systemic Gap Closed by Principled Action
For years, a systemic ambiguity in the interpretation of legislation has left victims of dog attacks in a difficult position. While they were suffering the trauma of an attack, the subsequent investigation by their local council was not clearly covered by the Victims' Charter, leaving many feeling unsupported and without a formal avenue to ensure they were treated with respect.
Secure Ground recently presented a submission to the VOCC, respectfully highlighting this ambiguity and the impact it has on victims.
In an exemplary display of responsiveness, the VOCC's senior staff reviewed the issue. Recognizing the systemic failure, they have proactively changed their interpretation of the legislation to ensure victims are protected. This is what good governance looks like. When presented with a logical and evidence-based argument, the VOCC took their responsibility to the community seriously and acted decisively to correct a long-standing issue.
What This Means for All Victorians
This policy change by the VOCC is a monumental victory for victim's rights in Victoria. It is a formal recognition that the trauma of a dog attack is significant and that the victims deserve to be treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire investigative process.
Thanks to the VOCC's principled action, victims now have the full weight of the Victims' Charter behind them when dealing with local councils. This includes the right to be:
- Treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
- Informed about the progress of the investigation in a timely manner.
- Given clear information about the services and processes involved.
Crucially, this means that victims now have a formal oversight body. If a council fails to meet its obligations under the Charter, victims can now lodge a complaint directly with the VOCC. We strongly encourage anyone affected by crime to explore the resources available on the official Victims of Crime Commissioner website.
For those who want to understand their rights in more detail, you can read about the Victims' Charter here, or review the full text of the Victims' Charter Act 2006 itself.
Next Steps
We sincerely applaud the VOCC for listening to the community and for their integrity in addressing this issue. This is how a responsive, victim-centric system should work, and it sets a powerful precedent for other government bodies.
The most important next step is to ensure every victim in Victoria is aware of these newly affirmed rights.
- Please share this update. If you know someone who has been a victim of a dog attack, this news could be a crucial part of their recovery and their quest for justice.
- Know your rights. Thanks to the VOCC, you are not alone when dealing with a council investigation.