How we work with you

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) works with victims affected by a serious criminal offence.  We also work with people who are not victims, but are witnesses to the serious crime.

We support victims and witnesses of serious crime by providing clear information about the prosecution process, victims' rights, what to expect in court when giving evidence and referrals to support services.

Victim or complainant

We understand that the term "victim" is important in how we support and speak with you. Before someone is found guilty in court, the term "complainant" is used when referring to a victim of crime who is giving evidence as a witness. This is because under the law every person is innocent until proven guilty.

As defined by the Victims' Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Act 2024, a victim is a person who suffers harm—

• because a criminal offence is committed against the person; or
• because the person is a family member or dependant of another person who suffers harm because a criminal offence is committed against the other person; or
• as a direct result of intervening to help another person who suffers harm or dies because a criminal offence is committed against the other person; or
• because the person is a witness of a criminal offence committed against another person.

Your main point of contact

Your main point of contact will depend on the type of witness you are and whether you are a victim.

• you or your child are a victim
• you are not a victim but provided a witness statement
• a child is not a victim but provided a video-recorded witness statement

You or your child are a victim

As a victim, you may be required to attend court to give evidence.

Your main point of contact for the duration of the court process will be one of our victim liaison officers (VLO). We will reach out to you in the first instance when we receive your contact details from police. Your VLO can also speak to a support person, family member, or friend you nominate as your primary contact. If you are required to give evidence, you will be notified by the VLO and you will be issued with a subpoena by police.

Read more about when we will reach out to you.

You are not a victim but provided a witness statement to the police

If you are not the victim, but you gave the police a witness statement about a serious criminal matter, you are considered a witness. You may be required to attend court to give evidence.

Your main point of contact for the duration of the court process will be the arresting police officer. If you are required to give evidence you will be notified by the arresting police officer or an ODPP staff member and you will issued with a subpoena by police.

Your child is not a victim but provided a witness statement

If your child gave the police a video-recorded witness statement about a criminal matter, they are considered an affected child witness (ACW).

Your main point of contact will be a victim liaison officer (VLO). You can also speak with the arresting police officer.  If your child is required to give evidence, you will be contacted by a VLO when we receive your contact details from police and before a scheduled pre-record hearing (known as a 21AK).

Read more about when we will reach out to you.

ODPP staff you will meet

There are different roles within the ODPP who will support you through the court process including the:

• Victim liaison officer (VLO): A VLO is generally the main contact for victims and parents/caregivers of affected child witnesses throughout the case. They can also speak to a support person, family member, or friend you nominate as your primary contact. The VLO will reach out to you or your nominated contact person once the police provide your details. They will share information such as:
  • court dates and what to expect, including when you need to attend court to give evidence
  • future meetings with legal staff
  • updates or changes to the charges
  • the outcome of your case
  • how to update your contact details
  • referrals to victim support services
  • information about special witness measures
• Crown prosecutor: A crown prosecutor prepares and handles a case in court. They appear at trials, hearings, and sentencing. Crown prosecutors make sure the accused/defendant faces the right charges for the alleged offence and advocates for the appropriate outcome.
• Legal officer: A legal officer is the lawyer who works on the case daily and prepares the legal work. They may go to court but don’t run trials (or significant hearings). A victim/witness for the ODPP will mostly speak with the legal officer during meetings and court.
• Legal support officer: A legal support officer helps the legal officer and crown prosecutor with preparation of work, take notes of appearances in court and may join meetings with victims/witnesses and the legal team.

More information

• Preparing for court
• Giving evidence
• Support services
• Victim liaison service