Victims Services Counselling
Experiencing violence, abuse, assault, or another traumatic crime can have a lasting impact on how we feel, think, and move through the world.
For many people, the effects don't end when the event is over. They can show up weeks, months, or even years later through anxiety, fear, difficulties trusting others, changes in relationships, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, or a sense that life no longer feels quite the same.
What many people don't realise is that support may be available through the Victims Support Scheme in NSW..
What Is Victims Services Counselling?
Victims Services NSW provides access to funded counselling for eligible people who have been impacted by violent crime.
The purpose of counselling is not simply to talk about what happened. Rather, it provides a safe and supportive space to understand the impact of the experience, strengthen coping strategies, reconnect with your strengths, and work towards healing and recovery.
Trauma affects everyone differently. Some people feel overwhelmed by memories of the event, while others find themselves constantly on edge, avoiding reminders, or questioning themselves in ways they never did before.
Counselling can help make sense of these experiences and provide support as you move forward.
Who Can Access Victims Services Counselling?
Many people are surprised to learn that Victims Services counselling is available for a wide range of experiences, including:
Domestic and family violence
Sexual assault
Physical assault
Childhood abuse
Stalking and harassment
Coercive control
Witnessing violence
Other violent crimes
Support may also be available to family members and others affected by certain crimes.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, Victims Services NSW can provide guidance regarding your individual circumstances.
Do I Need a Mental Health Care Plan?
No.
Victims Services counselling is separate from Medicare and does not require a Mental Health Care Plan or referral from a GP.
If your application is approved, counselling is funded through the Victims Support Scheme.
Do I Need to Report the Crime to Police?
This is one of the most common questions people ask.
Not everyone who accesses counselling through Victims Services has reported the crime to police. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and the information provided during the application process.
If you are unsure, please reach out.
How Counselling Can Help?
One of the most difficult parts of trauma is that it often changes our relationship with ourselves.
People frequently tell me things like:
"I don't feel like myself anymore."
"I should be over this by now."
"I don't know why this still affects me."
"I don't trust my own judgment anymore."
These responses are often understandable reactions to difficult experiences.
Counselling provides an opportunity to explore the impact of what has happened without judgment, while also reconnecting with the strengths, values, and hopes that may have become harder to see.
Healing does not mean forgetting.
Often, it means finding a way to carry your experiences that allows you to move forward with greater confidence, safety, and self-compassion.
Accessing Support
If you have been impacted by a violent crime in NSW, you may be eligible to access funded counselling through the Victims Support Scheme.
For information about eligibility and applications, visit the Victims Services NSW website.
If you already have an approved counselling referral, appointments can be booked online and accessed from anywhere in Australia.