Justice Home > Victims Services > Victims Rights

Homicide

    Homicides usually attract media attention. This can be confusing and distressing. For information about dealing with the media download our booklet Guide to the media for victims of crime (PDF, 317kb).

    Counselling

    If someone close to you has been murdered, or if you have witnessed a homicide, there are several options for information and support.  If the homicide occurred in New South Wales, you may be eligible for 20 hour of free counselling under the Approved Counselling Service administered by Victims Services. For more information please go to our webpage All about counselling

    You may wish to contact a grief counsellor at:

    NSW Institute of Forensic Medicine at Glebe
    (02) 8584 7800, or

    Department of Forensic Medicine, Westmead
    (02) 9845 6001.

    The grief counsellor can provide you with support, counselling and information, including information about the coronial system. More information can be found at the State Coroner's Court of New South Wales website State Coroner's Court of New South Wales

    Other support

    If you would like to discuss other support, you could contact one of the following:

    Homicide Victims Support Group:
    Phone 8833 8400 or 1800 191 777 (Toll free)

    Enough is Enough:
    Phone (02) 9542 4029

    Victims of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL):
    Phone (02) 4961 4755 (Newcastle)

    Victims Access Line:
    Phone 1800 633 063

    Compassionate Friends Australia:
    Phone (02) 9290 2355
    Email tcf@bigpond.com.au

    Lifeline Australia:
    Phone 13 11 14

    National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG):
    Phone: (02) 6882 9222
    Email info@nalag.org.au

    Financial assistance

    If you are the member of the immediate family of a homicide victim (a 'family victim') you may be entitled to receive financial assistance.  See our Financial assistance webpage.

    See also

    Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit website.