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If you have been a victim of crime, or are involved in a court case, it’s important to know that you have rights and that you are not alone.
Young people are more likely than other people to be a victim of crime and there are many people and places you can turn to who can give you support and provide advice.
Call 1800 55 1800 Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential. They provide telephone and online counselling services specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. You can phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to speak to a counsellor. If you’re not sure about talking to someone on the phone, or can’t get to a phone, you can use their web service for real time counselling.
Call 1300 790 540 If you are under 18 and appearing in court as a witness to a crime, you can talk to the Child and Youth Witness Service. They can help by explaining what will happen in court and help you get ready.
Everyone gets nervous about appearing in court. If you think it will be easier for you, they can arrange for you to give evidence from a separate room to the courtroom via a TV link – this means you don’t have to face anyone you don’t want to.
ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. Their aim is to give young people the skills and confidence to overcome life’s obstacles.
Youth Law Australia provides legal information to children and young people from across Australia. Their website provides advice and information about the legal rights and responsibilities of young people and covers topics from bullying to social security to going to court. You can also send a question and you will get a reply from a lawyer at the National Children’s and Youth Law Centre, usually within 6 days.
Youth Central is a website for young people that has a range of information and advice on issues like jobs, study, travel, money, relationships and the law.
Their website has a section called Know Your Rights which looks at the different rights that you are entitled to. There’s a section just for Crime and victim support as well as general youth rights and where to go for legal advice.
Youthlaw is a specialist community legal centre for young people in Victoria. They provide free and confidential legal advice to young people up to the age of 25. If you have something you’d like to talk to YouthLaw about, you can email legal@youthlaw.asn.au or phone 03 9611 2412 to speak to a lawyer.
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) helps people with their legal problems. Their website has a large section of Legal information, including a section for victims of crime.
You can get legal help using their online chat or calling 1300 792 387 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
1300 039 390
If you are under 18 and appearing in court as a witness to a crime, you can talk to the Child and Youth Witness Service. They can help by explaining what will happen in court and help you get ready.
