QHVSS has offices in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns and provides outreach throughout Queensland. Services are delivered by experienced social workers and psychologists who can assist you to access entitlements and help support your recovery. Assistance can be provided face to face, by telephone or
by email.

We recognise that early support for people who are victims of violent crimes (and your families) helps you to more effectively cope with the offence and improves your long term wellbeing. Help is available at any stage after the offence and for as long as needed.

If you or someone you know is a victim of an offence where the person charged has been diverted from the criminal justice system to the forensic mental health system, you are eligible for help from QHVSS.  We can also assist you if the person charged was dealt with in Magistrates Court
and received a mental health defence.

To speak to someone and find out how we can help:

Phone free call 1800 208 005 during business hours or email victim.support@health.qld.gov.au.

To provide a service that meets the needs of victims of crime where the offender has a mental illness or intellectual disability. This includes:

• Early identification of victims to offer them support
• Providing immediate help and advice
• Providing information about the Forensic Mental Health system
• Assisting victims in making informed choices and accessing their entitlements
• Supporting victims to tell their story through statements and submissions
• Working in partnership with other agencies to be responsive to victim needs.

QHVSS was established as a result of the 2006 review of the Mental Health Act (2000) conducted by Brendan Butler AM SC. The final government report, Promoting Balance in the Forensic Mental Health System, concluded that change was necessary to ensure victims have access to appropriate and timely information, victims’ concerns are heard and the mental health system is responsive to their needs. Access to information and support is recognised as being crucial to a victim's recovery and well being. QHVSS has a role in assisting victims and their families to access their entitlements under the Mental Health Act 2016.

What are Information Notices?

Some victims (or their families) find it helpful to receive information about the person who harmed them. If the person who harmed you, or your family member, is placed on a Forensic Order or Treatment Support Order by the Mental Health Court, you may be eligible to apply for an Information Notice.

Information Notices allow you to receive specific information about the person’s treatment and rehabilitation.  Knowing that the patient is continuing to be managed by a mental health team on an order and the conditions of that order, can help you to feel safer.

Under the Mental Health Act 2016 you can apply to the Chief Psychiatrist in Queensland Health for an Information Notice.  https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/635044/f_victim_app_information_notice.pdf

Applications for Information Notices are facilitated through the QHVSS.  We can explain the eligibility criteria and how they work.  For more details or to apply for an Information Notice, speak to one of our team.

What is classified patient information?

If the person who harmed you or your family member is in custody and is transferred to a mental health service for assessment or treatment, they become a Classified Patient.  You can apply to the Chief Psychiatrist in Queensland for information about the classified patient.

To find out more contact QHVSS on 1800 208 005, or email victim.support@health.qld.gov.au

Mental Health Court

If you or a family member have been a victim of serious violence and the person charged has a mental illness or intellectual disability, they can be referred to the Mental Health Court.  Queensland has one Mental Health Court located in Brisbane, which is made up of a Supreme Court Judge and two assisting psychiatrists.

The Mental Health Court determines whether a person charged was of unsound mind at the time of the offence or is now temporarily or permanently unfit for trial.  This is a specialist court in Queensland and QHVSS is able to help you understand the court process and decisions in your case.

For more information about Mental Health Court: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/444961/mental-health-court-fact.pdf

Magistrates Court

Magistrates in Queensland can decide on the balance of probability that a person charged can receive a mental health defence.  If you or a member of your family have been a victim of crime and the person charged receives a mental health defence in the Magistrates Court, QHVSS can help you to understand the court process and how you can be supported.

For more information about Magistrate Court: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/444937/magistrates-court-fact.pdf