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The NSW Government is expected to introduce legislation to ensure that victim-survivors of serious crimes obtain a “mandatory notification” about their right to register as a victim-survivor to receive important updates or information about an offender.

There are three NSW victims registers: the Corrective Services NSW Victims Register, Youth Justice Victims Register, and the Specialist Victims Register.

Those who choose to opt-in will receive “timely, accurate and trauma-informed updates” about the perpetrator’s progression through the custodial system and this may also include information about the offender’s location, sentence, eligibility for parole and any development that may impact the victim’s safety and well-being. Registered victim-survivors may also be eligible to make a submission about the offender’s parole.

If victim-survivors are unsure whether they wish to register, they will have the option to decide at a later time whether they wish to register.

Mandatory notification about the victims registers will be sent to victim-survivors (or their family members) of “serious offenders,” including an offender who has committed murder, is serving a sentence of life imprisonment, or an offender who is serving one or more sentences with a minimum total of 12 years in custody for offences like attempted murder, serious sexual assault, abduction and aggravated robbery.

Where the victim is a minor, incapacitated or deceased, the victim’s family members will be notified.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong says the reforms will provide an opportunity for victim-survivors to know about victims registers and have a clear opportunity to sign up.

“We have listened to the voices of victim-survivors, and we are responding to their call to improve the system, whilst balancing the critical need to avoid re-traumatising those victim-survivors who do not wish to be re-exposed to the heinous crimes of their offenders,” he says.

“Eligible victim-survivors of serious offenders deserve the choice to be on the victims registers and be given the knowledge and agency to engage with the justice system, ensuring no-one is left behind,” says Chanthivong.

Corrective Services NSW hosted consultation meetings with victim-survivors, advocates and victim support services.

“From the moment an offender enters custody, we keep registered victim-survivors up-to-date on all significant information,” says Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM.

“We can also assist victim-survivors to have their voices heard when important decisions are being made regarding an offender’s release.

“Knowing that information will be made available at key milestones, particularly around the timing of release to the community, can provide reassurance to those victim-survivors who wish to receive such information and help them to better plan for their safety,” he says.

Victims Advocate Howard Brown OAM welcomes the changes. “These reforms will ensure that victim-survivors of serious crimes will now have knowledge and information about the victims registers, and the opportunity to sign up to them if they choose to.

“The victims registers are able to provide the kind of information that victim-survivors may feel that they need to be able to take back control of their lives, sometimes many years after a serious crime has been committed against them,” he says.