Ten per cent of successful victims of crime compensation cases in Victoria were dealt with at Sunshine Magistrates Court during the past financial year.
There were 476 applications approved in 2014-15, the second-highest figure in the state.
The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal’s [VOCAT] annual report reveals that 313 and 163 cases were heard at the Sunshine and Werribee tribunals, respectively.
Court registrars are the main points of contact for victims of crime.
The registrars provide procedural advice and support throughout the court application and hearing process.
Chief magistrate Peter Lauritsen said VOCAT provided “a forum for victims to tell their story and have their experiences of loss and suffering acknowledged”. VOCAT has a full-time registrar at the Sunshine court.
The VOCAT report found seven per cent of all applications in Victoria were lodged at Sunshine Magistrates Court, while 10 per cent of final orders were also made there.
The most common causes for compensation applications were assault, homicide, robbery and sexual-related offences.
