Last week, the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner appeared before the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee to discuss the Victims Commissioner’s submission on the Adult Crime, Adult Time amendment bill.
We reiterated that while we support protecting the rights of children who are victims, a young offender’s background does not lessen the harm of their crime on victims and their families.
Victims of both adult and youth crime continue to tell us the sentencing process in Queensland feels unbalanced — with too much focus on the offender and not enough on the impact and ongoing trauma experienced by victims and their families.
Victims need meaningful opportunities to participate in the justice process, including enough time to prepare a Victim Impact Statement. That’s why the Victims’ Commissioner’s submission highlighted the importance of reviewing the Victim Impact Statement regime, as recommended by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council — a review the government has now committed to.
Read the Victims’ Commissioner’s submission here. https://ow.ly/ZIms50YBzWy
Victims' Commissioner Queensland
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Queensland's Victims’ Commissioner is an independent voice promoting and protecting the rights of victims of crime. Our contact details are listed on this page.
Queensland's first Victims' Commissioner is Beck O'Connor. Her role is independent of government and she is supported by the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner. Our purpose is to protect and promote the rights of victims of crime in Queensland. What we do:
✅ Promote victims’ rights
✅ Provide advice and recommendations on laws and policies
✅ Research and review issues affecting victims
✅ Receive c
31/03/2026
A new report from the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council shows courts are taking domestic and family violence more seriously.
Even though sentences aren’t getting longer, judges and magistrates are choosing prison and supervision more often.
Domestic violence offenders are also getting tougher penalties than people who commit similar non‑DV offences.
The report — called The Tangled Web — includes several points we raised with the Council. We told them that victims’ voices should play a bigger role when courts decide a sentence for domestic violence.
This includes using Victim Impact Statements more effectively, so courts properly understand the harm caused to victims.
You can read what we said here - https://ow.ly/7jlA50YB1KM
17/03/2026
Stage 2 of our public consultation on the Charter of Victims' Rights closes TOMORROW, 5pm.
Give your feedback on victims’ rights so victims of crime are better supported.
Visit our review website now to complete the survey or upload your submission.
🔗 tinyurl.com/victimsrightsreview
11/03/2026
There’s still time to have your say!
Stage 2 of our review focuses on awareness, accessibility, understanding, and accountability of victims’ rights.
Your feedback will help make sure victims’ rights reflect the needs and expectations of Queenslanders.
🗓️ Stage 2 of the public consultation closes on 18 March 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/victimsrightsreview
09/03/2026
Government and organisational submissions to stage 1 of our review of the Charter of Victims' Rights are now available to view on our website.
Link: www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au/our-work/review-of-the-charter-of-victims-rights
04/03/2026
There’s still time to have your say!
Stage 2 of the public consultation on victims’ rights focuses on:
• awareness and understanding of victims’ rights
• accessibility of victims’ rights
• accountability and enforceability of victims’ rights
• innovative ways to understand and respond to victims’ needs.
Your ideas make sure victims’ rights reflect the needs and expectations of Queenslanders.
🗓️ Stage 2 of the public consultation closes on 18 March 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/victimsrightsreview
25/02/2026
Being accountable for victims’ rights means making sure government and non-government agencies follow laws and policies that protect victims’ rights.
Agencies that have to follow policies and laws that protect victims’ rights include police, prosecutors, Victims Assist Queensland and organisations that are funded by the government to support victims of crime.
Can accountability for upholding victims’ rights be stronger in Queensland?
Your feedback helps shape the future.
🗓️ Stage 2 of the public consultation closes on 18 March.
➡️ Visit tinyurl.com/victimsrightsreview
18/02/2026
Victims’ rights should be easy to find and understand.
Stage 2 of the public consultation is looking at how accessible victims’ rights are – and how they’re explained to our community.
Have your say: what is working and what needs to change?
🗓️ Stage 2 of the public consultation closes on 18 March 2026
🔗 Learn more and have your say - tinyurl.com/victimsrightsreview
What does awareness of victims’ rights mean?
It’s about making sure victims, people who work with or support victims, and the community know what rights exist, what they mean – and how to find out more about them.
Do you think there is good awareness and understanding of victims’ rights in Queensland. Get involved in the review of Victims’ Rights.
🗓️ Stage 2 of the public consultation closes on 18 March 2026
🔗 Learn more and have your say at https://ow.ly/iruw50YcAOU
29/01/2026
We’re reviewing victims’ rights in 2 stages.
The second part of our review focuses on awareness, accessibility and understanding of victims’ rights in Queensland.
Your feedback will help shape a system that better supports and protects victims of crime.
Even if you shared your views in stage 1, we still want to hear from you.
️Share your feedback before 18 March 2026
Learn more and have your say:
We're reviewing victims' rights in Queensland In Queensland, victims of violent crime (including victims of domestic and family violence) have rights. These rights are set out in the Queensland Charter of Victims’ Rights. The Charter of Victims’ Rights became law in 2017. It is a list of commitments to victims of violent crime that directs ...
22/12/2025
Kids of Purple is a space for young people experiencing violence at home to seek support, information, find support services and hear from shared experiences.
www.kidsofpurple.org.au
19/12/2025
In a healthy relationship, there is an equal balance of power between partners. Love ≠ Control (love does not equal control)
The Love ≠ Control storytelling initiative by the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council profiles ten Queenslanders sharing their personal experience of domestic and family violence and coercive control.
These powerful stories raise awareness to help eradicate all forms of domestic and family violence.
https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/love-not-equal-control
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